One of the biggest measles outbreaks of the past two decades is taking place less than 200 miles from Atlanta.
More than 130 people in South Carolina have contracted the infection in recent months — almost all of them children who were unvaccinated. Public health officials in the state said travel over the Thanksgiving holiday likely contributed to the spread. And with winter holiday travel approaching, experts said Georgia could see more measles cases as a result.
“Most of us, including viruses, are not contained by state lines,” said Jodie Guest, the senior vice chair of epidemiology at Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health. “This is an incredibly transmissible virus. In our populations that are unvaccinated we need to be very concerned.”
Measles in Georgia
Georgia has seen 10 measles cases this year so far, which is high when looking at the number of measles cases in the U.S. since 2000. But Georgia’s case number pales in comparison to the 800 cases in Texas and 100 or more cases in Arizona, New Mexico, South Carolina and Utah so far this year.
In the fall, public health officials contained a four-person outbreak at Georgia State University the same way they do any time there’s a case of measles in the state, said Cherie L. Drenzek, the state epidemiologist. All hands on deck.
Even one case of measles is considered a public health emergency, she said. Efforts are made to identify anyone who was in contact with the measles case, including classmates or co-workers, those who shared waiting rooms or people eating at the same restaurant. If any of those people are considered susceptible to measles, if they’re unvaccinated or are high risk, health officials prioritize them and offer a vaccination or an antibody treatment to prevent them from getting sick. Health officials might ask someone who’s been exposed to quarantine or isolate, and they will monitor their health for 21 days.
The good news, Drenzek said, is that where vaccination rates are high, transmission is rare. U.S. cases are most often linked to travel. And outbreaks tend to happen when the virus gets ahead of public health measures and spreads quickly through groups of people who are unvaccinated.
Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com
Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com
The vaccination issue
Unvaccinated populations are particularly at risk. Someone who’s contracted measles is contagious for up to four days before symptoms show, leaving a long time to unwittingly spread the virus. And of the nearly 2,000 U.S. cases reported this year, 93% of those who were infected were unvaccinated or their vaccination status was unknown, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Vaccination rates in Georgia have been waning since measles was officially eradicated in the country in 2000. In the 2023-2024 school year, only 88% of Georgia kindergarteners were fully vaccinated against measles — well below the 95% recommended to protect newborns and people who are unable to get a vaccine.
Being up to date on vaccinations is “the No. 1 thing you can do to protect yourself and your family,” Matt Liman, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, said.
The measles-mumps-rubella vaccine is typically given in two doses: the first to infants between 12 and 15 months, and the second to kids between the ages of 4 and 6. For infants between 6 and 11 months who are traveling internationally or to somewhere with a measles outbreak, pediatricians might recommend an earlier dose.
Do you need to change travel plans?
If you’re traveling somewhere with an active outbreak or hosting any family members from one of those areas, it would be a good idea to ask them if they’ve been contacted by public health officials about possible exposures, Guest said.
“We don’t want anyone to be fearful, and certainly if you’re vaccinated you are very, very unlikely to contract measles if you come in contact with anyone,” she said. But if you’re not vaccinated and you’re planning to travel to Spartanburg County, where the South Carolina outbreak is concentrated? “I would be very cautious about that.”
As with any travel, Drenzek and Liman recommend you make sure you’re vaccinated ahead of time and defer travel if you’re feeling sick.
“Don’t hop on a plane if you have a 104-degree fever and a rash,” Drenzek said. “The most important and effective prevention, which is easy to do, is to stay up to date on vaccinations.”
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