ATL Standard

The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is urging parents to make sure their children are up to date with their measles vaccinations. According to the department, "Measles vaccination is important for all children to prevent measles infection and reduce the risk of community transmission, but it is especially important for families with children planning to travel outside of the United States."

Among the 58 measles cases reported in the U.S. in 2024, 93% were linked to international travel. Most cases reported this year have been among children over the age of 12 months who had not received the MMR vaccine. In Georgia, there have been two reported cases of measles in 2024. The individuals were unvaccinated, from the same family, and had traveled outside of the country.

"Measles is very contagious and spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes," stated health officials. They emphasized that the measles virus can linger in the air for up to 2 hours after an infected person is present, making it easy to contract the virus by simply being in the same room.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that children receive their MMR vaccine doses between specific ages to ensure maximum effectiveness. The CDC advises that "two doses of MMR vaccine are 97% effective against measles, one dose is 93% effective." It also recommends that before traveling internationally, infants aged 6 to 11 months should have one dose of MMR vaccine, and children aged 12 months and older should have two doses.

Symptoms of measles typically appear 7 to 14 days after exposure to the virus and can include high fever, cough, runny nose, watery eyes, and a distinct rash. Health authorities warn that infected individuals are contagious from 4 days before the rash appears through 4 days afterward, highlighting the importance of early detection and prevention.

Individuals experiencing symptoms of measles are advised to contact their healthcare provider immediately. It is crucial to inform healthcare providers about the symptoms before visiting a medical facility. Healthcare providers who suspect measles in patients are urged to notify public health authorities promptly.

For more information about measles and vaccine recommendations, individuals can visit the Georgia Department of Public Health's website or the CDC's dedicated page on measles. A list of countries with confirmed measles outbreaks can also be found on the CDC website.