Fifth measles case confirmed in Georgia: DPH

ATLANTA, GA — Georgia reported its fifth case of measles this year on Monday, according to state health officials.

The Georgia Department of Health said a resident of the Atlanta metropolitan area who was not fully vaccinated came into contact with measles while traveling abroad.

Public health officials said they were working to identify anyone who may have come into contact with the person while he or she was contagious.

The first case of measles since 2020 was identified in January in an unvaccinated resident of the Atlanta metropolitan area.

Measles, a contagious virus, can spread through the air through coughing or sneezing, public health officials said. The virus can linger in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours after the infected person leaves the room, public health officials said.

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Symptoms of the virus begin in the head and do not appear until about one to two weeks after contact with an infected person. High fever, cough, runny nose, watery eyes and rash are symptoms of the virus, public health officials said.

“Measles can be prevented with the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine. The vaccine is safe and effective,” public health officials said in the press release.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that children receive their first dose of the MMR vaccine between 12 and 15 months of age and a second dose between 4 and 6 years of age, public health officials said.

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“More than 95 percent of people who receive a single dose of MMR develop immunity to all three viruses. A second dose boosts immunity, typically increasing protection to 98 percent,” public health officials said.

Anyone who may have symptoms of measles is asked to call their doctor before visiting. Health authorities are asking health care providers to notify health officials immediately if measles is suspected in a patient.