JASPER COUNTY, Ga. — The Georgia Department of Public Health confirmed five cases of measles among siblings in one family Wednesday.
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Jasper County residents were unvaccinated or undervaccinated, and at least one sibling had previously traveled out of state.
These new cases bring Georgia’s total to 21 confirmed cases of measles in 2026, up from 10 confirmed cases in the state in 2025.
According to public health officials, the Jasper County cases are unrelated to a previous outbreak in Cobb County and contact tracing efforts are underway to identify individuals who may have been exposed.
Measles is a highly contagious virus that is spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus can remain contagious in the air or on surfaces for up to 2 hours after an infected person leaves a room.
Symptoms usually appear between seven and 14 days after exposure, although the incubation period can extend up to 21 days. Early symptoms include a high fever, cough, runny nose, and watery eyes, followed by a rash of small red spots that start on the head and spread to the rest of the body.
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Health officials emphasize that the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine provides strong protection against the virus. More than 95% of people who receive a single dose of the MMR vaccine develop immunity, and a second dose increases protection to about 98%. T
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that children receive their first dose between 12 and 15 months of age and a second dose between 4 and 6 years of age. For infants ages 6 to 11 months traveling internationally, the CDC recommends a single dose before travel, followed by the standard two-dose series after their first birthday.
Public health officials advise anyone with symptoms of measles to call a health care provider before going to a doctor, clinic or hospital to prevent the spread of the virus. Health care providers who suspect a patient has measles are required to notify public health officials immediately.
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