There’s an outbreak of measles in Washington state that has prompted the governor there to declare a public health emergency. In Georgia, the state health department is reporting the first cases in our state in years. In 2015 there was just one case in an infant from Kyrgystan.

The Georgia Department of Public Health confirms three cases of measles in metro Atlanta in January. "All three cases are members of the same family," says Nancy Nydam with DPH. The state has contacted all persons who may have been exposed. The disease spreads through the air by respiratory droplets produced from coughing or sneezing.

Symptoms usually develop 10–12 days after exposure to an infected person and last 7–10 days. Initial symptoms typically include fever, often greater than 40 °C (104.0 °F), cough, runny nose, and inflamed eyes. Measles is highly contagious. In an unvaccinated population, one person with measles can infect 12 to 18 others.

Because of widespread vaccination, the virus was declared eliminated in the US in 2000. Enough people were immunized that outbreaks were uncommon, and deaths from measles were scarcely heard of.

Measles is prevented through the combination MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) shot. The CDC recommends that children get two doses.

The first dose at 12 through 15 months of age and the second dose at 4 through 6 years of age.

Measles is prevented through the combination MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) shot. The CDC recommends that children get two doses:

The first dose at 12 through 15 months of age and the second dose at 4 through 6 years of age.

Information on Measles from the Georgia Department of Public Health:

What is measles?

Measles (rubeola) is a highly contagious vaccine-preventable disease caused by a virus.

How is measles spread?

Measles is spread by air-borne droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

What are the symptoms of measles?

Measles typically begins with a fever, followed by cough, runny nose, and/or red, watery eyes. After two to three days, the fever peaks and a rash appears at the hairline and spreads progressively downward covering the face, neck, trunk and extremities.

What kind of vaccine is given to prevent measles? 

The MMR vaccine prevents measles and two other viral diseases – mumps and rubella. More than 95% of the people who receive a single dose of MMR will develop immunity to all three viruses. A second dose boosts immunity, typically enhancing protection to 98%.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all persons be routinely vaccinated between 12 and 18 months of age and receive a booster between 4 and 6 years of age.

Who is at increased risk of becoming infected with measles?

• Infants who are too young to have been vaccinated (less than 1 year of age),
• Persons who have never been vaccinated
• Pregnant women
• Immunocompromised persons (these include persons undergoing cancer chemotherapy or other immune-suppressive treatments, transplant recipients or those with diseases that affect the immune system such as acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).