SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WNDU) – Right now, we are continuing to update you on the rise of measles cases in the United States.

Dr. Shanna Kautzmann, with Beacon Health System, explains that measles is a virus that is spread by the cough or sneeze of an infected person.

It’s highly contagious so it can stay in the air for even two hours. She also tells us how you can protect yourself.

“If you’re not vaccinated and exposed to measles, there’s about a 90% chance that you will get measles. So that sounds pretty concerning, but there is good news, and the good news is the measles vaccine. The first dose is 93% effective against measles and the second dose 97% effective against measles. So if you’ve gotten two doses, you really are anticipated to have lifelong immunity,” Kautzmann said.

About 1 in 5 people infected with measles are hospitalized, and about one to three in 1,000 die from it.

To read more about measles, click here.

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