GEORGIA (WALB) - The Georgia Department of Public Health has confirmed five additional measles cases in the state, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in 2026 to 21.

The five new cases involve siblings from a Jasper County family. DPH says the individuals were either unvaccinated or under-vaccinated, and at least one sibling has a history of out-of-state travel.

Health officials are working to identify anyone who may have been exposed to measles through contact with the family.

DPH says the cases are not connected to the earlier measles outbreak in Cobb County.

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

Symptoms typically appear seven to 14 days after exposure but can take up to 21 days to develop. Symptoms can include:

• High fever
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Watery eyes

A red rash that typically begins on the head and spreads to the rest of the body

The MMR vaccine can prevent measles, mumps and rubella. The CDC recommends children receive their first MMR dose between 12 and 15 months of age and a second dose between 4 and 6 years old.

DPH says more than 95% of people develop immunity to all three viruses after one MMR dose, while a second dose typically increases protection to about 98%.

Anyone experiencing measles symptoms should contact their healthcare provider immediately. Do not go directly to a doctor’s office, hospital or public health clinic without calling first and notifying staff about possible measles symptoms.

Georgia reported 10 confirmed measles cases in 2025. With the five newly confirmed cases, the state has reported 21 cases so far in 2026.

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