The Georgia Department of Public Health has confirmed the state’s first measles case of 2026 involving an infant who was too young to receive the routine measles vaccination. Health officials say the baby, who lives in Georgia’s Coastal Health District, contracted the virus while traveling internationally and is now the focus of an exposure investigation.

Measles is highly contagious and spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus can remain in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area, increasing the risk of exposure to others.

Symptoms usually appear seven to 14 days after exposure and include high fever, cough, runny nose, and watery eyes, followed by a red rash that typically begins on the head and spreads across the body. DPH urges anyone with symptoms to contact their healthcare provider immediately and to call ahead before visiting a medical facility to prevent further spread.

Health officials emphasize that the MMR vaccine is safe and highly effective in preventing measles. The CDC recommends the first MMR dose at 12 to 15 months of age and a second dose between ages four and six, with special guidance for infants traveling internationally. Vaccination not only protects individuals but also helps safeguard those who are too young or medically unable to be vaccinated.

DPH reports there were 10 confirmed measles cases in Georgia in 2025. Additional information about measles is available through the Georgia Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.