We had a confirmed case of measles at the 6pm Mass this past Sunday November 10. Measles are highly contagious and can lead to complications if you have not been immunized. Please read the following information from Cobb and Douglas Public Health and the Measles Q&A by clicking here Click Measles Q&A .

Dear Sir or Madam, 

This letter is to inform you that a person who attended the 6pm Mass at The Catholic Church of Transfiguration on Sunday, November 10 has been confirmed to have measles. If you attended the 6:00 pm Mass on Sunday, November 10, you may have been exposed to measles

If you or anyone who attended Mass with you on that date fits into one of the below categories, please contact Public Health immediately for further assessment at 404-657-2588 or 770-514-2432.  

• Infant <12 months of age

• Person without Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) vaccine 

• Pregnant woman

• Immunocompromised person

Instructions for Exposed Persons & Family • Children not immune to measles (either through the MMR vaccine or previous infection) and weighing less than 66 pounds have a limited time to receive medication to protect them from this exposure. o The last day to receive immune globulin to be protected from this exposure is Saturday, November 16. You may obtain this for free at:  Cobb & Douglas Public Health: 1650 County Services Pkwy Marietta 30008 today until 4:30pm or on Saturday, November 16 between 3:00– 5:00 pm.

Measles is a highly contagious germ caused by the rubeola virus. The disease is very rare in the United States and the possibility of you getting this disease is very low. However, we wanted to let you know of the exposure. 

Measles begins with fever accompanied by cough, runny nose, and red eyes. Two or three days later, the fever typically peaks, at which time, a red blotchy rash appears, usually first on the face, along the hairline. The rash rapidly spreads to involve the entire body within 24 hours.  

Vaccination is the best protection against measles. Children usually receive the first mumps, measles, and rubella vaccine (MMR) at 12-15 month of age and the second dose at 4-6 year of age. If your child has previously been vaccinated against measles or has had the disease, the risks from this exposure are minimal. Adults born before 1957 are thought to have presumptive immunity. Adults born after 1957 are recommended to have one to two doses of MMR, based on risk status.

Sometimes the shot may not protect persons who have a severe immune system disorder such as HIV/AIDS, persons on chemotherapy, or women who are pregnant. If you or your child has an immune system disorder, please consult with your healthcare provider immediately and inform him/her of your exposure.

It is very unlikely that you will get measles but if you become sick with a fever, cough, runny nose or red eyes, with or without rash, before December 1, contact your healthcare provider immediately. If you become ill, we ask that you follow these instructions: 1) Please contact your healthcare provider immediately by phone and let him or her know that you were exposed to measles. If you do not have a doctor, you should call the Georgia Department of Public Health Acute Disease Epidemiology Section at 404-657-2588. 2) DO NOT go to the doctor’s office, the hospital, or a public health clinic without FIRST calling to let them know about your possible contact with measles on November 10. Your healthcare provider or public health nurse will advise you about what you should do. 3) If you think you might have measles and seek medical attention, have your doctor contact the public health department IMMEDIATELY. 4) If you think your child might have measles, keep him/her at home and away from other people, especially babies less than 1 year of age or people with a weakened immune system. 5) Do not visit public places!

In collaboration with Transfiguration Church, Cobb & Douglas Public Health will continue to monitor the situation. 

Sincerely,

Janet Pak Memark, MD, MPH, FACP District Health Director Cobb and Douglas Public Health