ATLANTA—The Georgia Department of Public Health has confirmed measles in an unvaccinated Macon County resident, bringing Georgia’s 2026 total to 22 cases, compared to 10 in 2025.
The individual is isolating at home, and unvaccinated close contacts are quarantining, the DPH said. Although the individual has no known travel history, they had contact with a confirmed measles case from Pennsylvania, where an ongoing measles outbreak has surpassed 1,100 cases.
DPH is working to find other possible exposures.
Measles is highly contagious and spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus can remain airborne for two hours after an infected person leaves.
The measles, mumps, rubella vaccine is the best protection.
“The MMR vaccine is safe and effective. Measles spreads quickly, and vaccination now can help prevent further spread,” said Cherie Drenzek, DVM, MS, state epidemiologist.
Parents should consult their healthcare provider with questions about vaccination. Vaccination also helps protect people who are too young or medically unable to get the vaccine.
Measles symptoms typically appear 7-14 days after exposure but can take up to 21. Symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, and watery eyes, followed by a red rash.
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