Nationally there is a slight uptick in the number of measles cases this year, and last week West Virginia’s first case in 15 years was confirmed in Monongalia County. Health officials say there are some things you can do to protect yourself from the highly contagious disease. Measles is easily spread from an infected person by cough, sneeze, or general breathing. Measles symptoms are different from typical signs of seasonal; allergies because along with runny nose and a cough, comes a high fever, and a rash all over the body.