5th measles case confirmed in Georgia, state health officials say
ATLANTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - A fifth measles case in the ongoing outbreak has been discovered in the Peach State, the Georgia Department of Public Health said Friday.
The person is a family member of another patient with measles, the agency said.
People exposed to either patient have been given a vaccine or antibodies to help reduce the risk of developing measles. They’re being monitored for symptoms.
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The fourth patient was believed to have contracted the virus while traveling internationally.
The department said the person was infectious between May 10 and May 18.
There’s currently an outbreak of measles in the U.S. that’s infected more than 1,000 people.
It’s been tied to international travel by people who haven’t been vaccinated against the virus.
U.S. health officials are now saying American international travelers should be vaccinated against the virus no matter where they’re going.
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U.S. residents are recommended to get measles-mumps-rubella shots, anyway. But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention previously emphasized the importance of vaccination for travelers going to countries with outbreaks.
Last week, the CDC updated its guidance to call for vaccinations for travelers going to all other countries.
Part of that reason is that travelers are being exposed in airports and airplanes to others who may be infected.
Measles is very contagious, but people who have received both doses of the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine are typically protected in 98% of cases.
Measles spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Measles virus can stay in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours after an infected person has left the room.
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According to the department, measles symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose and watery eyes. A red rash then starts at the head and spreads to the rest of the body.
If you believe you have measles, you should call a doctor’s office, hospital or health clinic before arrival so they can prepare and notify public health officials.
MORE INFORMATION
Measles: A serious and dangerous disease
- Symptoms: High fever (may spike to more than 104), cough, runny nose, red and watery eyes, and rash.
- Complications: Ear infections, diarrhea, pneumonia and encephalitis.
- How it spreads: Through the air. You can get measles just by being in a room where a person with measles has been in the past two hours.
The first measles case this year in Georgia was reported in metro Atlanta in late January, then two more cases were reported in February.
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