Staff Reports

ATLANTA — The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) has confirmed the first measles case in Georgia in 2026, involving an infant in the state’s Coastal Health District near Savannah.

Health officials said the child was too young to receive the routine measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine and likely contracted the virus during international travel. Public health teams are now working to identify anyone who may have been exposed and are monitoring for additional cases.

Where Was the Measles Case Reported in Georgia?

The confirmed case was identified in the Coastal Health District, which includes Savannah and surrounding counties. DPH has not released identifying details but says contact tracing efforts are underway.

Officials are urging residents in the area to review their vaccination status and watch for symptoms if they believe they may have been exposed.

Measles Symptoms and How It Spreads

Measles is one of the most contagious viruses in the world. It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected individual leaves an area.

Common measles symptoms include:

• High fever

• Cough

• Runny nose

• Red, watery eyes

• Rash that spreads from the face downward

Symptoms typically appear 7 to 14 days after exposure.

Health officials advise anyone experiencing symptoms to call their healthcare provider before visiting a clinic or emergency room to prevent further spread.

MMR Vaccine Recommendations

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends:

• First MMR dose at 12 to 15 months

• Second MMR dose at 4 to 6 years

Infants 6 to 11 months old traveling internationally should receive an early MMR dose before travel, followed by the routine series after their first birthday.

Public health experts emphasize that the MMR vaccine is safe and highly effective, providing about 97% protection against measles after two doses.

Measles Cases Rising Nationwide

Although measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000, outbreaks have resurfaced in recent years due to declining vaccination rates in some communities.

National health data shows measles cases have been reported in multiple states this year, and Georgia recorded 10 measles cases in 2025, most involving unvaccinated individuals and linked to travel-related exposure.

Health officials stress that maintaining high vaccination coverage — around the 95% threshold needed for herd immunity — is critical to protecting infants and others who cannot be vaccinated.