Measles is caused by a virus that's spread through the air, which is why it's so contagious. The symptoms are pretty dramatic - think high fever, congestion, and a signature rash that covers the body. And, if you're not vaccinated, you're basically a sitting duck for the measles virus.
Now, you might be wondering, what's the deal with the case fatality rate? Well, it's actually a pretty important metric that helps us understand how deadly a disease is. And, in the case of measles, it's remarkably low - especially when compared to other diseases like smallpox or Ebola.
Measles death in Texas puts Kennedy's vaccine views to the test | Reuters
But, here's the thing - even though the case fatality rate of measles is low, it's still a major public health concern. That's because measles can cause all sorts of complications, like pneumonia and encephalitis - which can be life-threatening. And, if you're not vaccinated, you're not just putting yourself at risk, you're also putting others at risk - especially young children and people with weakened immune systems.
