DPH Confirms Measles Case in Georgia

The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) has confirmed a case of measles in an unvaccinated resident of Bryan County. According to officials, the individual has no history of international travel but had recently traveled outside the state.

DPH is currently working to notify people who may have been exposed and who could be at increased risk of developing the illness.

Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Health experts say the virus can remain in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area, making exposure possible even without direct contact.

Symptoms typically appear 7 to 14 days after exposure and often begin with:

• High fever

• Cough

• Runny nose

• Watery eyes

  
  

A rash of small red spots usually follows, starting on the head and spreading to the rest of the body.

Health officials stress that the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine is both safe and highly effective in preventing measles. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends children receive:

• The first dose between 12 and 15 months of age

• A second dose between 4 and 6 years of age

  
  

Infants ages 6–11 months who are traveling internationally should receive one dose prior to travel, followed by the two routine doses after their first birthday.

More than 95% of individuals develop immunity after one dose of the MMR vaccine, and a second dose increases protection to approximately 98%.

Vaccination also helps protect those who cannot be vaccinated due to age or medical conditions.

Anyone experiencing symptoms of measles should contact their healthcare provider immediately. Public health officials advise not going directly to a doctor’s office, hospital, or clinic without calling first so staff can take precautions to prevent further spread. Healthcare providers who suspect measles are required to notify public health authorities promptly.

This marks the second confirmed measles case in Georgia in 2026. The state reported 10 confirmed cases in 2025.