Measles: An Updated Literature Review of the Host Response, Pathogenesis, Complications, Prevention Measures, and Recent Outbreaks

Measles remains a significant global health threat due to its extreme transmissibility and the potential for severe, long-term complications. This review synthesizes the most up-to-date literature on the host response, immunological impact, current treatments, and prevention of the measles virus (MeV). The review details host immune evasion mechanisms, including the antagonism of interferon signaling, discusses genetic associations with vaccine failure, and explores adjunctive treatments like vitamin A and ribavirin. Despite the success of the two-dose MMR vaccine, recent resurgences in the United States, peaking at 2065 cases in 2025, underscore a critical decline in herd immunity driven by vaccine hesitancy and pandemic-related disruptions. However, with no FDA-approved antiviral, primary prevention via vaccination remains the only effective strategy. This paper emphasizes the necessity of strengthening public health outreach and standardizing international surveillance to mitigate the rising incidence of this preventable disease.