Georgia DPH warns of possible measles exposure at LongHorn Steakhouse in Perry

According to DPH, an individual infected with measles visited the restaurant at 100 Hampton Court in Houston County while infectious.

PERRY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is warning residents about a potential measles exposure at a LongHorn Steakhouse in Perry as part of an ongoing investigation into a measles case in Macon County.

According to DPH, an individual infected with measles visited the restaurant at 100 Hampton Court in Houston County while infectious.

Health officials say anyone who visited the restaurant Wednesday, October 7, between 7 and 10 p.m. may have been exposed to the virus.

DPH urges anyone who was at the restaurant during that time to check their vaccination status and watch for symptoms of measles.

People who are not immune through vaccination or a previous measles infection should monitor for symptoms through Wednesday, October 28.

Measles symptoms typically develop seven to 14 days after exposure but can take up to 21 days to appear.

Symptoms include a high fever, cough, runny nose and watery eyes, followed by a red rash that begins on the head and spreads to the rest of the body.

Health officials say anyone experiencing measles symptoms should contact their healthcare provider immediately.

DPH advises people not to visit a doctor’s office, hospital or public health clinic without calling ahead to report their symptoms.

Measles is highly contagious and spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area.

According to DPH, the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is the best protection against the virus.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends children receive two doses of the MMR vaccine, with the first dose at 12 to 15 months and the second between ages 4 and 6.

Adults born in 1957 or later generally need at least one dose unless they have documented vaccination, laboratory evidence of immunity or laboratory-confirmed measles.

Anyone with questions about their vaccination status is encouraged to contact their healthcare provider.

For more information about measles, visit the Georgia Department of Public Health at https://dph.georgia.gov/measles-georgia or the CDC at https://www.cdc.gov/measles/index.html