An experimental antiviral pill has successfully blocked the spread of a measles-like virus in animals, raising hopes for a new treatment that could help contain future outbreaks.

The findings, published in Nature Microbiology, showed that the oral drug prevented the virus from spreading through both direct contact and the air when administered shortly before or after exposure. It also reduced the severity of illness and shortened the period infected animals remained contagious.

The study was conducted by researchers at the Center for Translational Antiviral Research (CTAR) at Georgia State University, who tested the experimental drug in ferrets infected with canine distemper virus, a disease that closely resembles measles in humans.

The researchers evaluated an experimental broad-spectrum antiviral known as GHP-88310, which works by blocking the viral polymerase—an enzyme the virus requires to replicate.

The team investigated whether the drug could prevent transmission when administered shortly before or after exposure. The results showed that GHP-88310 completely blocked the virus from spreading through both close physical contact and airborne transmission, the two primary routes through which measles spreads.

When administered to animals that were already infected, the drug also shortened the duration of illness and reduced the length of time they remained capable of transmitting the virus.

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Senior author of the study, Professor Richard Plemper, Director of CTAR, said rapidly containing measles outbreaks is essential to limiting transmission and bringing the virus under control.

According to him, the findings suggest the antiviral could complement traditional ring vaccination, a strategy in which people exposed to an infected person are vaccinated to prevent further spread.

To closely replicate real-world conditions, the researchers designed experiments that simulated both household transmission through direct contact and airborne spread in shared indoor environments such as classrooms, where people breathe the same air without necessarily coming into physical contact.

Lead author, Dr Carolin Lieber, described the findings as unprecedented for this class of antiviral drugs, noting that complete prevention of airborne transmission had not previously been demonstrated with a viral polymerase inhibitor.

The findings come amid a resurgence of measles across parts of North America, with outbreaks reported in the United States, Canada and Mexico following declines in vaccination coverage in some communities.

Although highly effective vaccines remain the most reliable protection against measles, the researchers said an antiviral treatment could provide an additional layer of protection for people who have already been exposed, those who cannot be vaccinated, or during outbreaks where rapid containment is required.

The researchers are now preparing GHP-88310 for clinical trials to determine whether it is safe and effective for use in humans.

They cautioned that the findings are based on animal studies and that further research will be required before the drug can be approved for medical use. However, they said the results represent a significant step towards developing medicines capable of helping to control one of the world’s most contagious viral diseases.