Misleading claims about treatments for measles have been touted on social media as outbreaks spread throughout the world.
Posts online are claiming that vitamin A prevents or cures measles, but experts say that while the vitamin can help reduce measles death rates in very young children, there's no cure for the disease and vaccination is the most effective way to prevent it.
One of the world's most contagious diseases, measles can cause a rash, serious ear infections, blindness, breathing problems and inflammation of the brain, which can lead to death.
Seventy-seven cases were recorded in Australia between January 1 and June 1, 2025, according to the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System, compared to 57 total cases in 2024.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says the disease has been reported in 162 countries (slide six), with data showing declining childhood vaccination rates.
In April, two unvaccinated children infected with measles died in Texas amid an outbreak that has grown to more than 740 people according to the state health service.
Meru Sheel, an infectious diseases epidemiologist at the University of Sydney, said the current outbreaks are primarily caused by lagging vaccination coverage.
Service delivery challenges, disruption to routine immunisation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and vaccine mistrust are some factors driving under-vaccination, she explained.
Various treatments are being shared on social media, with many posts promoting the use of vitamin A, a nutrient found in certain foods or as a supplement.
"Vitamin A helps prevent #Measles ….. you don’t need the vaxx!" one Facebook post's caption reads, with others making claims such as "VITAMIN “A” CURES MEASLES".
In an article for Fox News in March, 2025, US health department head Robert F Kennedy Jr wrote that "vitamin A can dramatically reduce measles mortality" and noted "CDC has recently updated their recommendation supporting administration of vitamin A under the supervision of a physician for those with mild, moderate, and severe infection".
There is no cure for measles, but experts told AAP FactCheck that vitamin A can be used as a treatment.
"Usually, supportive care is what's recommended for measles treatment, so, lots of fluids like drinking water; paracetamol for fever," Associate Professor Sheel explained.
Two doses of vitamin A supplements given 24 hours apart are recommended for children and adults to restore low levels, she said, which can help prevent eye damage and blindness.
Christoper Holstege, a professor of emergency medicine and pediatrics at the University of Virginia, said there is some evidence vitamin A supplements may reduce the number of measles deaths.
Professor Holstege pointed to a 2005 systematic review of studies, conducted in African countries as well as Japan and England, which found that two doses of vitamin A reduced deaths of children aged under two years old who were hospitalised with measles.
Peter McCaffery, a biochemist at the University of Aberdeen, said it has benefits in regions where vitamin A deficiency is common, such as sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
Measles infection can decrease the body's vitamin A levels, so supplements can help reduce complications of the disease in those who are already undernourished, he explained.
"This may mean individuals already partially deficient in vitamin A who are exposed to measles would benefit from vitamin A treatment."
However, Professor McCaffery said there is limited evidence supporting its use in high-income countries, where deficiency isn't prevalent.
A 2021 Italian study did not show "any substantial benefits" of vitamin A supplementation given to children admitted to hospital for measles (page 727).
Despite claims on social media promoting its use over immunisation, Prof Holstege said there's no evidence to show vitamin A will prevent healthy people becoming infected.
"Community-wide vaccination is the most effective way to prevent measles," he said.
Assoc Prof Sheel said two doses of vaccine is 99 per cent effective at preventing measles, confirming it's "the best way to prevent measles at individual and population level" and added that the WHO "recommends all countries to have greater than 95 per cent vaccine coverage for two doses" (p220).
Prof Holstege also noted that giving high-dose vitamin A to those who are not malnourished can cause health complications.
Too much can lead to nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness and potential liver damage, according to the Mayo Clinic.
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