ATLANTA (WSAV) — The fourth confirmed case of measles in Georgia was confirmed Monday.
An individual from the Greater Atlanta area, who was not vaccinated, has been confirmed by the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) to have contracted measles. This person became infected with the disease during international travel. The DPH is currently in the process of tracing individuals who may have had contact with this person between May 10 and May 18, during which time they were contagious.
Measles is highly infectious and can be transmitted through the air when a sick person coughs or sneezes. The virus has the ability to linger in the air or on surfaces for as long as two hours after an infected person has exited the area.
After exposure to the measles virus, symptoms typically develop 7-14 days later, with initial signs including a high fever, cough, runny nose, and watery eyes. Subsequently, a rash composed of small, red spots starts appearing on the head and eventually spreads across the body.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that children receive their first dose of MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine between 12 and 15 months of age and a second dose between 4 and 6 years of age.
This is the fourth reported measles case in Georgia in 2025. In 2024, there were six reported cases of measles in Georgia.
