Measles

Measles, also called Rubeola, is a highly contagious viral disease. The disease is no longer common in the United States, however it is widespread in many parts of the world including Europe, Africa, and Asia.

Measles begins with a fever that lasts for a couple of days, followed by a cough, runny nose, and conjunctivitis (pink eye). These symptoms are followed by a maculopapular rash that begins at the hairline, moves to the face and upper neck and then down the body.  Infected people are usually contagious from about 4 days before their rash starts to 4 days afterwards.

Measles (Rubeola) Basics

General information about measles including disease description, complications, treatment and prevention.

  • About Measles 
    General information from the CDC about measles, including transmission, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. Also includes photos and kid-friendly fact sheet.
  • Download this pdf file. Measles: What Parents Need to Know
    Fact sheet for parents of children in child care and school and other activities who have questions about measles.

Reporting

  • Reporting Measles
    All suspect cases of measles should be reported to the Georgia Department of Public Health immediately. Find out more about what needs to be reported, who needs to report diseases, which forms to use and where to find out more about the disease.
  • Download this pdf file. Measles Case Report Form

Vaccine Information

The best way to prevent measles is for all children to be fully vaccinated on time. There are two combination vaccines used to prevent measles: measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine and measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (MMRV) vaccine.

Measles Information for Health Professionals

Clinical Features and Epidemiology

 

nMeasles-Day-3-Rash.png

      

nMeaslesDay4Rash.png

 

nMeaslesKopliksSpots2.png
  • More Photos of Measles
    The CDC offers photos of measles and people affected by measles. Warning: graphic medical images. Attention: non-DPH link.

Measles Laboratory Testing

  • Download this pdf file. Measles Specimen Collection and Submission Guidelines
    Suspect cases of measles infection can be confirmed by serologic testing, culture, and/or polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Maximum sensitivity and specificity are achieved when serologic tests, culture and PCR are performed.

Post-exposure Prophylaxis

Reporting

  • Reporting Measles
    All suspect cases of measles should be reported to the Georgia Department of Public Health immediately. Find out more about what needs to be reported, who needs to report diseases, which forms to use and where to find out more about the disease.
  •  Measles Case Report Form

Vaccine Information

The best way to prevent measles is for all children to be fully vaccinated on time. There are two combination vaccines used to prevent measles: measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine and measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (MMRV) vaccine.

Measles Information for Schools and Child Care

Information for reporting and handling measles case-patients and outbreaks for school health personnel and child care settings.

Reporting

  • Reporting Measles
    All suspect cases of measles should be reported to the Georgia Department of Public Health immediately. Find out more about what needs to be reported, who needs to report diseases, which forms to use and where to find out more about the disease.
  •   Download this pdf file. Measles Case Report Form

Measles Statistics

Measles is currently a rare disease in Georgia and in the U.S.; however, measles continues to occur commonly in other parts of the world. Measles can be brought into Georgia by unvaccinated persons who travel to or from countries where measles is common, and who are infectious with measles after arriving in Georgia. Measles can spread easily to unvaccinated persons; therefore, maintaining high immunization rates is essential to preventing measles.

Year

Cases (n)

2005

0

2006

0

2007

0

2008

1

2009

1

2010

1

2011

0

2012

2

2013

0

2014

0

2015

1

2016

0

2017

0

2018

0

2019

18

2020

1

2021

0

2022

0

Page last updated 12/22/2022