Measles Outbreak Hits GA Daycare: Here's What To Know

Health officials recently say measles cases are rising at a metro Atlanta daycare, leading to an outbreak.

As of Friday, there had been two new cases of measles at the unidentified daycare to bring the total to 10 cases related to the outbreak, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health. The specific location of the daycare was not revealed.

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So far this year, DPH said there have been 16 confirmed cases of measles.

"DPH continues to work to identify and notify individuals who may have been exposed to measles," the agency said.

The measles virus can spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes and can linger in the air for up to two hours after the infected person has left the room, the DPH has said in the past.

Early symptoms of measles are a fever of more than 101 degrees, runny nose, cough and red, watery eyes. Usually, one to four days after the early symptoms, a red rash appears on the face and spreads to the rest of the body.

Symptoms appear 7-14 days after a person has developed the measles, but can develop as soon as seven days and as long as 21 days after exposure, health officials said. A person with measles is contagious, beginning four days before the rash appears, until four days after the rash begins, health officials said in the past.

People are generally considered immune to measles if they have had two measles vaccine shots, previously had measles or laboratory evidence of immunity or infection, or were born in the United States before 1957, the DPH said in the past.

Those who are most at risk of complications from measles infection are pregnant women, infants less than 1 year old, and those who are immune compromised.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises that children receive their first dose of the measles, mumps, rubella vaccine between 12 and 15 months old and a second dose between 4 and 6 years old.

Children who are aged 6-11 months and are traveling internationally can receive a single dose of the MMR vaccine before they travel, and then receive two more doses after their first birthday, per CDC recommendations and the DPH.

"The vaccine is safe and effective, and parents with questions about the vaccine or the vaccination schedule can consult their physician," public health officials said in a news release.

The DPH said at least 95 percent of the people who receive a single dose of MMR will have immunity to all three viruses. A second dose helps to enhance immunity to 98 percent, the DPH said.

Anyone who has symptoms of the measles should call their health care provider, the DPH said.

People, especially those not vaccinated or otherwise immune to measles, should monitor themselves for any early symptoms of measles for 21 days after the potential exposure, public health officials said in the past.