Georgia Coastal Health District

From the Georgia Department of Public Health

The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is urging parents to make sure their children are up to date with their measles vaccinations. Measles vaccination is important for all children to prevent measles infection and reduce the risk of community transmission, but it is especially important for families with children planning to travel outside of the United States.

Among 58 measles cases reported in the U.S. so far in 2024, 54 (93%) were linked to international travel. Most cases reported this year have been among children over the age of 12 months who had not received MMR vaccine. In Georgia, there have been two reported cases of measles in 2024. The individuals were unvaccinated, from the same family, and had traveled outside of the country.

Measles is very contagious and spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The measles virus can stay in the air for up to 2 hours after an infected person is there so you can become infected by simply being in a room where an infected person once was. 

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Measles can be prevented with the MMR vaccine which is safe and highly effective. Two doses of MMR vaccine are 97% effective against measles, one dose is 93% effective. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends children receive their first dose of MMR vaccine between 12-15 months of age and a second dose between 4-6 years old. At least two weeks before traveling internationally, infants aged 6 to 11 months should have one dose of MMR vaccine and children aged 12 months and older should have two doses of MMR vaccine. Parents should consult with their child’s healthcare provider to ensure they are up to date with their MMR vaccines and any additional vaccines that may be needed.

Measles symptoms appear 7 to 14 days (sometimes up to 21 days) after contact with the virus. Symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, and watery eyes, followed by a rash of tiny, red spots that starts at the head and spreads to the rest of the body. Individuals infected with measles are contagious from 4 days before the rash starts through 4 days afterward. Measles can cause serious complications, especially for babies and young children.

Individuals with symptoms of measles should contact their healthcare provider immediately. DO NOT go to the doctor’s office, the hospital, or a public health clinic without FIRST calling to let them know about your symptoms. Healthcare providers who suspect measles in patients should notify public health immediately.

For more information about measles, log on to https://dph.georgia.gov/epidemiology/acute-disease-epidemiology/vaccine-preventable-diseases/measles or https://www.cdc.gov/measles/index.html. A list of countries with confirmed measles outbreaks can be found on the CDC website at https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/level1/measles-globe.

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If your summer travel plans include an international trip, now is the time to book an appointment for required immunizations and recommended prescriptions.  The Coastal Health District has two travel health clinics to assist you in Savannah and Brunswick. Planning ahead is essential as some countries require specific vaccines for entry, and most vaccines must be given about 15 to 30 days in advance for full protection. Some prescription treatments, like those to prevent malaria, must also begin before you travel.

“Nothing ruins a great vacation faster than getting sick,” said Dr. Bonzo Reddick, health director of the Coastal Health District. “Our travel health specialists can help you get the required and recommended vaccinations and medications for your destination on time, but only if you call us early. You can’t wait until the last minute to get your travel shots or prescriptions.”

Travel appointments can fill quickly, so travelers are advised to schedule an appointment as soon as they know their dates of travel, and at least one month before the trip.

Travel health services are offered by appointment only in the following clinic locations in the Coastal Health District:

• Chatham County Health Department: 1395 Eisenhower Dr. in Savannah. Schedule an appointment by calling 912-353-3182 or send an email to cchd.travelvax@dph.ga.gov. Please include your travel destination, departure date, number of persons, and contact information, including a telephone number in your correspondence.
• Glynn County Health Department: 2747 Fourth St. in Brunswick. Schedule an appointment by calling 912-264-3961 extension 6004.

In addition to destination-specific vaccines and medications, it’s important to be current on routine vaccines as well. Routine vaccinations protect you from infectious diseases such as measles that can spread quickly in groups of unvaccinated people. Many vaccine-preventable illnesses are not common in the United States but are still common in other countries.

“I also put together a travel health kit before every trip,” said Dr. Reddick. “Make sure you pack enough of your prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines to last your entire trip, plus extra in case of travel delays.” Depending on your destination you may also want to pack a mask, insect repellent, sunscreen, alcohol-based hand sanitizer, water disinfection tablets, and your health insurance card.

For more information, visit our travel health page.

The following press release was issued by the Georgia Department of Public Health:

The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) has confirmed a case of measles in an unvaccinated resident of the metro Atlanta area. The individual was exposed to measles while traveling out of the country. DPH is working to identify anyone who may have had contact with the individual while they were infectious.

Measles is very contagious and spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Measles virus can stay in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours after an infected person has left the room.

Measles symptoms appear 7 to 14 days after contact with the virus and typically include high fever, cough, runny nose, and watery eyes. Then a rash of tiny, red spots breaks out. It starts at the head and spreads to the rest of the body.

Measles can be prevented with the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine. The vaccine is safe and effective. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends children receive their first dose of MMR vaccine between 12-15 months of age and a second dose between 4-6 years old. 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 last reported case of measles in Georgia was in 2020.

People with symptoms of measles should contact their health care provider immediately. DO NOT go to the doctor’s office, the hospital, or a public health clinic without FIRST calling to let them know about your symptoms. Health care providers who suspect measles in a patient should notify public health immediately.

For more information about measles, log on to https://dph.georgia.gov/epidemiology/acute-disease-epidemiology/vaccine-preventable-diseases/measles or https://www.cdc.gov/measles/index.html.