This is no longer considered true. Measles, also known as rubeola, can be very serious or even fatal for small children. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, measles causes about two deaths per 1,000 reported cases in the United States each year.
Young children have a higher risk of death from measles than adults do.
Measles is a highly contagious illness. Inhaling infected droplets, such as from a sneeze, transmits the virus that causes measles. Normally the infection lasts 10 days to 2 weeks, and the person recovers completely. Pneumonia may develop early in the course of the illness, or complications may arise immediately after appearance of the rash. Encephalitis which causes vomiting, convulsions, coma and brain disorders may develop.