Measles Confirmed In Unvaccinated Metro Atlanta Overseas Traveler

ATLANTA, GA — An unvaccinated metro Atlanta resident who recently traveled overseas has a case of measles, authorities said Thursday. The Georgia Department of Public Health is notifying people who may have been exposed to the infectious and sometimes deadly virus and who may be at increased risk for developing measles. This is the seventh confirmed case of measles in Georgia in 2019.

The DPH is not releasing information on the individual, other than that they are a young adult from metro Atlanta. The person was not infectious when they traveled through Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a warning earlier this month for travelers headed to Europe this summer. Like the U.S., Europe is dealing with its biggest measles outbreak since the 1990s. The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from measles is by getting vaccinated, DPH said.

Measles has climbed to its highest level in 25 years at around 700 cases so far in 2019. Federal and state health officials say the resurgence of the disease is tied to misinformation that is turning parents against vaccines.

“Anyone planning international travel should be fully vaccinated at least two weeks before leaving,” said Cherie Drenzek, DVM., MS, chief science officer and state epidemiologist, Georgia Department of Public Health. “Measles is so contagious that if one person has it, 90 percent of the people close to that person who have not been vaccinated or are not immune will also become infected.”

Three new cases of measles were confirmed in Georgia on April 25, in addition to three cases reported in January 2019, state health officials say. The infected patients are family members who were all unvaccinated, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health. No deaths have been reported from the Georgia outbreak.

DPH said MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine is safe and effective. Two doses of MMR vaccine are about 97 percent effective at preventing measles; one dose is about 93 percent effective.

"Vaccination is paramount to good health, especially when it comes to highly contagious viral infections, like measles. Measles was considered eliminated from the U.S. in 2000 because an effective vaccination program was developed," the Georgia Department of Public Health says.

The CDC recommends the vaccine for everyone over a year old, except for people who had the disease as children. Those who have had measles are immune.

Children should receive two doses of MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine at 1 year of age and 4 to 6 years of age, the agency say. Adults who have not received the vaccine should become immunized. Vaccination prevents illness, complications and sometimes even death.

Measles spread quickly from person to person through coughing and sneezing. Symptoms start with fever, runny nose, cough, red eyes and sore throat. Then a rash spreads over the body. Complications are more common in children younger than age 5 and adults over 20, and include ear infections, diarrhea, pneumonia, encephalitis (brain swelling) and death.

Measles virus can live in the air and on surfaces for two to three hours.

Symptoms of measles include:

• Fever (can be very high)
• Cough, runny nose and red eyes
• Tiny white spots on the inner lining of the cheek – also called Koplik’s spots
• Rash of tiny, red spots that start at the head and spreads to the rest of the body (spots may become joined together as they spread)

Physicians should consider measles in patients presenting with fever and rash, especially in individuals who have recently traveled internationally or have close contacts who have recently traveled, DPH said.

To prevent measles and other viruses the health department urges Georgians to:

• Vaccinate your children. Georgia requires immunization from measles and other viruses for child care and school attendance.
• Contact the Georgia Registry of Immunization Transactions and Services, or GRITS, at 1-888-523-8076 to obtain vaccination records if you are uncertain if you have been vaccinated. Anyone who has never received the measles vaccination should become immunized.
• Be aware of immunization schedules. Certain vaccinations are only needed once or twice, like the measles vaccination. Others may be needed more often, like an annual flu shot. Know when and how often you and your family should be vaccinated.
• Make sure you are protected when you travel. Different places handle viruses and immunizations differently.
• Get vaccinated during pregnancy. Vaccines during pregnancy for whooping cough, flu and others are beneficial.
• Keep unvaccinated children at home during viral outbreaks. If a viral outbreak occurs, and your child is not vaccinated, do not take them to school, or they will become infected.
• Talk with your child's health care provider about your immunization concerns. A lot has been said about immunizations. If you have questions, talk with your health care provider.

If you or a family member becomes infected with measles, avoid public places until about four days after the onset of the rash. Call your doctor before visiting a clinic, so they may take precautions to prevent the spread of measles.

For more information about vaccination travel recommendations, log on to https://www.cdc.gov/measles/plan-for-travel.html.