Report This Disease to Cobb & Douglas Public Health Immediately at 770-514-2432.
For additional reporting options, please click here.
Are You Fully Protected Against Measles With 2 doses? Did You Know:
- 1 dose = not fully protected
- 1 dose = possibly being excluded from K-12 school/college for 21 days
Let us help you be fully protected from this disease!
Recent News:
The U.S. just hit a 35 year high on measles cases: https://www.cdc.gov/measles/data-research/index.html
What is it?
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by the rubeola virus. It spreads in the air by coughing and sneezing. Measles has been declared eliminated from the United States, however it is still a common disease in many parts of the world. Many of the people that got measles in the United States received it from outside the country and brought it back with them.
What are the Symptoms?
- High Fever
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Conjunctivitis
- Rash
- Koplik spots (white spots) inside the mouth
Children younger than five and adults older than 20 years of age are at risk for serious complications. Serious complications are pneumonia, encephalitis (swelling of the brain) and ear infections that can lead to permanent hearing loss. It generally begins 7 to 14 days after infection. A person is contagious about four days before to four days after the rash appears.
How Can I Prevent Contracting This Disease?
Vaccination is the best way to protect you and your family from Measles. Measles can be prevented with the MMR vaccine, which is safe and highly effective. Two doses of MMR vaccine are 97% effective against Measles. The first dose is recommended to children 12 to 15 months and a second dose at 4 to 6 years. 90% of people that get close to a person that has Measles who are not vaccinated will contract the virus.
If you are traveling, you can help prevent the spread of disease by:
- Covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing and washing your hands afterward.
- Not touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with dirty hands.
- Avoiding close contact with sick people.
- Being up-to-date on all immunization shots and getting any additional shots 4 to 6 weeks before traveling.
Are You Worried That You’ve Been Exposed?
Measles vaccine, which is given in combination with rubella and mumps vaccine (MMR) is effective and safe and two doses are recommended for immunity. If you believe you may have been exposed and are at risk of developing measles beacuse you have an immune system disorder, are pregnant, work in healthcare, work in a daycare/school setting, or are unvaccinated, please reach out to Cobb & Douglas Public Health Epidemiology at 770-514-2432 during regular office hours for consultation.
If you believe you may have been exposed and you become sick with fever, cough, runny nose or red eyes, with or without rash, we ask that you follow these instructions:
- Please call your healthcare provider immediately and let him or her know that you may have been exposed to measles. If you do not have a doctor, you should call our 24/7 public health hotline at 866-PUB-HLTH (866-782-4584).
- If you think you might have measles and need to seek medical attention, have your doctor contact public health IMMEDIATELY.
- If you think you might have measles, stay at home and away from contact with other people, especially babies less than 1 year of age or people with a weakened immune system.
- Do not visit public places.
For More Information
Make an appointment for vaccinations.
Measles PEP/Quarantine Guidance
Get your Vaccine Status
For more information about immunizations, visit our Immunizations page
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