The growing measles outbreak has raised concerns about the infection's devastating consequences and complications, which have been documented. A decade ago, a Princeton research team – including CHW affiliates Jessica Metcalf and Bryan Grenfell – published their findings on the link between measles and infectious disease fatalities. In 2018, a subsequent study of thousands of children in the UK demonstrated widespread effects on nonfatal infections as well. 

Essentially, their research has shown that the measles virus can cause the human immune system to “forget” previously acquired immunity, both from vaccinations and infections, leaving children vulnerable to other pathogens for the following two to three years.

The Princeton research was led by Michael Mina, an epidemiologist who completed post-doctoral training in the University's Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.