The year 2024 is getting off to a rocky start, and now measles are seemingly creeping in.
This week, Georgia health officials confirmed the state’s first measles case since 2020, part of a national trend with outbreaks tied to international travel. The individual, unvaccinated and from the Atlanta region, contracted the virus while traveling abroad. Measles, preventable through vaccination, remains a serious concern as officials work to identify others who may have come in contact with the infected patient. However, they are withholding details about age, travel history, and specific locations visited in Atlanta.
Shockingly, similar cases emerged in Virginia and Washington, D.C., with a confirmed measles case linked to travel through Dulles International and Ronald Reagan Washington National airports. Philadelphia faced a recent outbreak, reporting a staggering nine cases. The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine protects against the virus, minimizing risk for vaccinated and immune individuals. However, those who go unvaccinated face severe illness risks, with about one-fifth of U.S. measles cases resulting in hospitalization. The most severe cases can cause complications leading to death.
Currently, stopping measles transmission is a focal point for health officials. The virus can linger in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours. Symptoms, appearing a week or two post-exposure, include fever, cough, runny nose, and a rash starting at the hairline and spreading. With Georgia’s recent case, officials urge residents with symptoms to contact healthcare providers promptly, advising against direct visits without prior notification. Healthcare providers suspecting measles cases are instructed to notify the state public health department immediately.
