Seven additional confirmed measles cases have been reported in Portugal, bringing the total confirmed cases since February to 105, according to the Directorate-General for Health (DGS) (computer translated).
The bulk of the cases are linked to the Santo António Hospital in Porto where some 85 cases have been reported in health care professionals.
Of the total number of infected, 15 were not vaccinated and 10 had did not complete the vaccination schedule.
Measles is one of the most contagious of all infectious diseases; approximately 9 out of 10 susceptible persons with close contact to a measles patient will develop measles. The virus spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus can live for up to 2 hours in the air or on surfaces.
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People with measles usually have a rash, high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. Some people also get an ear infection, diarrhea, or a serious lung infection such as pneumonia. Although severe cases are rare, measles can cause swelling of the brain and death.
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So 85 of the 100 were vaccinated. So why get vaccinated?