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 Basics
• Measles Information for Healthcare Professionals
• Measles Information for Schools and Childcare
• Measles Statistics

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.
• 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.
• 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, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine Information Statement (VIS)
  CDC Vaccine Information Statement: includes a description of the disease, who should get the vaccine and when, who should not be vaccinated, and potential side effects.
• MMR: What You Need to Know
  Experts from the CDC answer challenging questions about vaccines and their administration.  

Measles Information for Health Professionals

Clinical Features and Epidemiology

• GDPH Measles Investigation Protocol  
  Guidelines and procedures for the investigation of measles case-patients.
• Manual for the Surveillance of Vaccine-Preventable Disease, 5th Edition, 2012
• Measles chapter in the CDC’s Manual for the Surveillance of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases.
• Minimize Measles Transmission in Healthcare Settings
  Quick reference for minimizing the risk of measles transmission in healthcare settings.

 

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• 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

• 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

• Post-exposure Prophylaxis for Exposed Persons
  Algorithm to determine appropriate post-exposure prophylaxis for exposed individuals.

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, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine Information Statement (VIS)
  CDC Vaccine Information Statement: includes a description of the disease, who should get the vaccine and when, who should not be vaccinated, and potential side effects.
• MMR Vaccines: What You Need to Know
  Experts from the CDC answer challenging questions about vaccines and their administration.

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.
•   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