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Measles and rubella epidemics are often seen from early spring to early summer, but as the epidemic of the new coronavirus is coming to an end and the number of people traveling abroad increases, the possibility of these viruses being brought into Japan will increase. In addition, the current situation is that the percentage of children who have received the MR vaccine, which prevents measles and rubella.

Measles is also called "measles," and the routes of transmission of the measles virus are (1) airborne infection, (2) droplet infection, and (3) contact infection. It is highly contagious, surpassing the contagiousness of influenza and mumps, so it is thought that mass infections are likely to occur. About 10 days after infection, flu-like symptoms such as a runny nose, cough, and fever appear, followed by a high fever of 39°C or higher, and a red rash that spreads over the body. The fever usually subsides over the next few days, the rash gradually disappears, and most of the symptoms disappear after a week. However, since measles weakens the immune system, pneumonia and otitis media are more likely to occur, and in rare cases, encephalitis may occur.

On the other hand, rubella is an infectious disease caused by droplet infection of the rubella virus, and is also called “three-day measles”. Like measles, it is highly contagious and is thought to be prone to group infections. The incubation period is two to three weeks, and the main symptoms include a red rash, fever, and swollen lymph nodes behind the ears and the back of the head. . The prognosis is good, and most people recover within 3 to 5 days. Infection in children does not cause severe illness, but in adults, it can become severe, such as a long-lasting high fever and rash. If a pregnant woman is infected with rubella, her baby may develop a disease called "congenital rubella syndrome (deafness, heart disease, cataracts, etc.)". Once infected with the rubella virus, one develops immunity to the virus and cannot be reinfected, but people with no immunity or insufficient immunity can become infected with rubella.

Looking at past trends in measles epidemics, there was a major measles epidemic in 2007 and 2008, mainly among people in their teens and twenties. Since 2009, the number of patients in their teens and twenties has been decreasing due to the provision of opportunities to receive the second measles vaccination. On the other hand, since 2011, there have been sporadic cases of imported cases of rubella that were infected overseas and developed after returning to Japan. of patients were reported. After that, although the number of cases had stabilized at the level before 2011, the number of reported cases increased in 2018, mainly in the Kanto region.
The number of reported cases of both rubella and measles has decreased since the outbreak of the new coronavirus, but since it has not been eradicated worldwide, there is a risk that it will be brought in from overseas or infected when traveling abroad and spread. will be Countries such as Ukraine, India, Brazil, Philippines, Madagascar and Thailand topped the list of measles cases reported worldwide in 2018 (June-November).

In Japan, it has been reported that the national measles and rubella vaccination rate has decreased by 5% in 2021 compared to 2020, and the risk of epidemics of measles and rubella may increase in the future. more pointed out.

There is no specific medicine for measles and rubella, so prevention is important. Routine immunization against measles and rubella is the MR vaccine, which is given twice a year, one at 1 year old and one year before entering elementary school. More than 95% of those who are vaccinated are said to acquire immunity. In addition, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare provided free rubella antibody tests and vaccinations to men born between April 2, 1962 and April 1, 1979, who did not have the opportunity to receive public rubella vaccinations. Until March 2025, we are conducting a project to distribute coupons that can be used.