Three more measles cases have been confirmed in connection with a daycare outbreak in the metro Atlanta area, taking the number linked to the cluster to eight.
The Georgia Department of Public Health said on Friday, September 4, that the latest cases were associated with the person whose infection was confirmed on August 18. The children involved were either unvaccinated or had not received the full course of vaccinations.
Health officials are contacting people who may have been exposed and are at increased risk of developing the highly contagious disease. The daycare involved has not been publicly identified, and officials have not released the ages of those infected.
The additional cases bring Georgia’s total for 2026 to 14, exceeding the 10 cases recorded across the state during the whole of 2025.
Symptoms and advice for those exposed
Measles symptoms usually develop between seven and 14 days after exposure, although the incubation period can vary. Early signs include a high temperature, cough, runny nose and watery eyes, followed by a rash of small red spots which typically begins on the head and spreads down the body.
Anyone who believes they may have been exposed or develops symptoms should contact a healthcare provider immediately and explain the possible exposure before attending a surgery, hospital or public health clinic. This allows staff to make suitable isolation arrangements.
People without a regular doctor or health insurance can contact Georgia’s Acute Disease Epidemiology Section on 404-657-2588 during weekday business hours, or call 1-866-PUB-HLTH outside those hours.
Health officials are also advising those who may have been exposed to remain at home and avoid contact with others, particularly babies under one and people with weakened immune systems.
The standard two-dose measles, mumps and rubella vaccine is recommended for children at 12 to 15 months and again at four to six years. The Georgia Department of Public Health said the MMR vaccine is safe and effective in preventing measles.
