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The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) has confirmed a measles  case in an unvaccinated Greater Atlanta resident. The individual acquired the virus  while traveling internationally. DPH is working to identify any persons who may have  been exposed through contact with the individual between May 10 and May 18, when  they were infectious. 

Measles is very contagious and spreads through the air when an infected person  coughs or sneezes. The measles virus can stay in the air or on surfaces for up to two  hours after an infected person has left the room.

Measles symptoms appear 7 to 14 days after contact with the virus, typically  including high fever, cough, runny nose, and watery eyes. Then, a rash of tiny, red  spots breaks out. It starts at the head and spreads to the rest of the body.

The MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine can prevent measles and rubella. The  vaccine is safe and effective. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)  recommends that children receive their first dose of MMR vaccine between 12 and 15  months of age and a second dose between 4 and 6 years of age. More than 95% of  the people who receive a single dose of MMR will develop immunity to all three  viruses. A second dose boosts immunity, typically enhancing protection to 98%.

People with symptoms of measles should contact their healthcare provider immediately.  DO NOT go to the doctor’s office, the hospital, or a public health clinic without first  calling to let them know about your symptoms. Healthcare providers who suspect  measles in a patient should notify public health immediately. 

This is the fourth reported measles case in Georgia in 2025. In 2024, there were six reported cases of measles in Georgia.

For more information about measles, log on to 

https://dph.georgia.gov/epidemiology/acute-disease-epidemiology/vaccine-preventable diseases/measles or https://www.cdc.gov/measles/index.html.