Four more cases of measles have been confirmed in Georgia after a case was detected in the Atlanta metro area last week, the Department of Public Health confirmed Friday.
All four cases were determined to be “close contacts” with the previous case, which DPH now says was part of an outbreak at a daycare setting. Health officials did not release the name or location of the daycare.
Officials say the infected people are all children who were unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated, and the first case did not stem from a known travel history.
The new cases bring Georgia’s total measles count this year to 14, topping the state’s total from 2025.
Is Measles Contagious?
Measles is a virus considered very contagious by health officials. It can spread through the air from coughs or sneezes as well as on surfaces. The virus can survive on surfaces for as long as two hours after an infected person has left the area.
That’s why places such as daycares and schools can be ideal settings for measles outbreaks.
How Effective Is the MMR Vaccine?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the MMR vaccine, which prevents measles, mumps and rubella, for all children. The first dose is recommended between 12 and 15 months, followed by a second dose between ages 4 and 6.
While the first dose provides substantial protection, a second dose increases it. At the Atlanta daycare, health officials said some cases involved children who were only partially vaccinated.
According to Georgia DPH, more than 95% of people who receive one MMR dose develop immunity to all three viruses. A second dose typically raises protection to 98%. Vaccination also helps protect people who are too young or medically unable to be vaccinated.
Measles Cases in Georgia and the U.S.
There have now been more measles cases in Georgia in the first eight months of 2026 than in all of 2025, according to CDC data. The state recorded five cases in 2024, 10 in 2025 and 14 so far this year.
National measles cases have been rising since 2022, with a spike at the beginning of this year, according to the CDC. The United States is experiencing its largest measles outbreak in 35 years, despite the virus having been largely eliminated in the country just a few years ago.
As of Aug. 30, the U.S. had recorded 37 outbreaks this year, accounting for nearly 3,000 cases and two deaths. Most cases were in people older than 5.
Of confirmed cases, 94% involved people who were unvaccinated or whose vaccination status was unknown. Only 6% involved people who had received at least one vaccine dose.
What Are the Symptoms of Measles?
Symptoms typically appear seven to 14 days after exposure and include fever, cough, runny nose and watery eyes. A rash of red spots also appears, typically starting around the head before spreading across the body.
If you believe you or your child may have measles symptoms, contact a health care provider right away.
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