There are serious complications that can occur from measles such as ear infection, blindness, severe diarrhoea, pneumonia, seizures and encephalitis. These diseases can cause severe disability and even death.

People who are more likely to develop severe complications include: 

  • Adults over 20-year-old
  • Children under 5-year-old
  • Pregnant women
  • Children with chronic illness
  • People with immune system compromised (such as suffering from leukaemia or HIV infection)

Infants are more likely to require hospitalisation than older children, and are at a higher risk of developing pneumonia, otitis media, encephalitis and death from measles. (1) (2)