Measles and respiratory failure: Case report and review of the last European outbreaks

Measles is an preventable acute viral illness, with the potential for severe and fatal\udcomplications. According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control in the\udlast surveillance report, a total of 10 271 cases of measles were reported from January to\udDecember 2013. And 127 of those were reported in Spain with a 2.7/1 million habitants rate. In\ud2010, the World Health Organization European Region made a new commitment to eradicate\udmeasles by 2015 in the zone, however, measles cases and outbreaks are still occurring in many\udcountries. We present the last 2 cases with severe measles-associated respiratory failure and a\udreview of the literature of the last European outbreaks. Two young adults were admitted in the\udintensive care unit due to respiratory failure with a confirmed measles infection. Both treated\udwith high flow nasal cannula during 3 to 5 days; one had a pneumococcal pneumonia coinfection. An incomplete vaccination schedule was documented in one of them while the other\uddid not remember his. Within 10 days of admission, both were discharged from intensive care\udunit and the hospital with no complications. Measles can present with a variety of symptoms\udin adults and is responsible for a high morbidity especially during outbreaks. Pneumonia is a\udsevere complication of measles infection, commonly reported. Surveillance and vaccination\udprograms should be strengthened in order to achieve measles elimination