Measles in Atlanta: Three cases, all unvaccinated

In a follow-up on a report last weekend, Georgia health officials are now confirming measles in three residents of the metro Atlanta area.

All three individuals are members of the same family. Two cases of measles were confirmed 1/13/2019 and the third measles case was confirmed 1/26/2019.

None of the infected were vaccinated against the disease.

The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) has notified individuals who might have been exposed to the virus and are potentially at increased risk for developing measles. Outside of the family noted above, there are no reports of secondary cases of measles.

How contagious is measles? Answer: Very

Measles is a highly contagious and potentially serious illness caused by a virus. Measles is spread through the air after a person with measles coughs or sneezes. The virus can linger in the air for up to two hours after someone who is infectious has left.

Measles symptoms begin with a high fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes, followed by a rash that usually begins at the head and spreads to the rest of the body. A person can spread the virus before they show symptoms. People are contagious with measles for up to four days before and up to four days after the rash appears.

After someone is exposed to measles, illness develops in about one to three weeks.

Immunization is the best prevention for measles. The measles vaccine is very effective. One dose of the measles vaccine is about 93 percent effective at preventing measles. Two doses are about 97 percent effective, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.