The Georgia Department of Public Health has confirmed another measles case, bringing the state’s total to 22 cases so far in 2026, more than double the 10 cases reported during all of 2025.

The latest case involves an unvaccinated resident of Macon County in southwest Georgia. The individual is isolating at home, while unvaccinated people identified as close contacts are being quarantined.

According to state health officials, the infected individual has no known travel history but did have contact with a confirmed measles patient from Pennsylvania, where an ongoing outbreak has resulted in more than 1,100 cases.

The Georgia Department of Public Health is working to identify anyone else who may have been exposed.

Measles Spreads Easily Through The Air

Health officials are reminding Georgia residents that measles is one of the most contagious infectious diseases and can spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

The virus can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person has left an area, potentially exposing others who enter the same space.

Dr. Cherie Drenzek, Georgia’s state epidemiologist, emphasized the importance of vaccination in preventing additional cases.

According to Drenzek, one dose of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, commonly called the MMR vaccine, provides approximately 93% protection against measles. Two doses increase protection to approximately 97%.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that children receive their first MMR vaccination between 12 and 15 months of age, followed by a second dose between ages four and six.

Infants between six and eleven months who will be traveling internationally should receive an early dose before their trip, followed by the regularly recommended doses after their first birthday.

Vaccination also helps protect infants and people with medical conditions that prevent them from receiving the vaccine.

Symptoms Can Take Up To Three Weeks To Appear

Measles symptoms typically develop seven to fourteen days after exposure, although they can take as long as 21 days.

Early symptoms generally include a high fever, cough, runny nose and watery eyes.

A red rash typically follows, beginning on the head and spreading downward across the body.

Anyone experiencing symptoms consistent with measles should contact a healthcare provider immediately but should not enter a doctor’s office, hospital or public health clinic without calling ahead.

Calling ahead allows healthcare facilities to take precautions to prevent exposing other patients and staff members.

Although the latest confirmed case is in Macon County, the Georgia Department of Public Health is encouraging residents throughout the state, including Northwest Georgia, to make sure they and their children are appropriately vaccinated.

Residents who are uncertain about their vaccination status can contact their healthcare provider or local health department.

Additional information is available through the Georgia Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Sources:

Georgia Department of Public Health — DPH Confirms New Measles Case, Urges Vaccination, October 2026.

Georgia Department of Public Health: https://dph.georgia.gov/measles-georgia

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/measles/index.html