The Georgia Department of Public Health has confirmed three additional measles cases in Macon County, bringing the state’s total to 28 confirmed cases in 2026, compared to just 10 cases during all of 2025.

According to a statement released Tuesday, all three individuals were close contacts of a previously confirmed measles case reported on October 12. State health officials have notified others who may have been exposed and are at increased risk of developing the highly contagious disease.

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

Symptoms typically begin with a high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes. A rash generally develops several days later, beginning on the face and spreading downward across the body.

The Department of Public Health emphasizes that vaccination remains the best protection against measles. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine for children. The first dose should be administered between 12 and 15 months of age, followed by a second dose between ages four and six.

Health officials warn that anyone experiencing possible measles symptoms should contact a healthcare provider immediately. Patients should not visit a doctor’s office, hospital or public health clinic without calling ahead to report their symptoms. This precaution helps prevent exposing other patients and healthcare workers.

With 28 confirmed cases so far this year, Georgia has already recorded nearly three times the number of measles infections reported during all of last year.