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Officials from the Armenian Health Ministry say citizens arriving in Armenia from Georgia undergo medical examination at the Armenian-Georgian border so that the measles infection will not penetrate into Armenia. However, citizens who returned from Georgia claim that they did not have their temperature taken and body examined for measles at the Armenian-Georgian border. 

On June 4, the Armenian Heath Ministry said that 4,533 cases of measles were recorded in Georgia in 2013. 1,357 people were hospitalized with measles, 2 died from measles. 3 cases of measles were recorded in Armenia as of June 11, all being ecdemic.

Measles is an infection of the respiratory system caused by a virus, specifically a paramyxovirus of the genus Morbillivirus. Morbilliviruses, like other paramyxoviruses, are enveloped, single-stranded, negative-sense RNA viruses. Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and a generalized, maculopapular, erythematous rash.

There is no specific treatment for measles. Most patients with uncomplicated measles will recover with rest and supportive treatment. It is, however, important to seek medical advice if the patient becomes more unwell, as they may be developing complications. Complications may include bronchitis, acute encephalitis and – very rarely – panencephalitis, which is usually or always fatal.