Unvaccinated Patient Traveled Out-of-State
The state of Georgia has confirmed its second measles case of 2026. The patient, a resident of Bryan County, was unvaccinated against the disease.
According to the Georgia Department of Public Health, the individual traveled outside the state before falling ill, though there was no international travel. Health authorities are notifying individuals at risk of exposure or close contact.
Measles Virus Can Linger in Air for Up to Two Hours
Measles spreads easily through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus can remain in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours after the infected person leaves. Symptoms typically appear 7 to 14 days after exposure and include high fever, cough, runny nose, watery eyes, and a red rash that starts on the head and spreads down the body.
CDC Recommends Two Doses of MMR Vaccine
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that children receive two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine: the first dose at 12 to 15 months of age, and the second dose at 4 to 6 years of age.
In 2025, Georgia recorded 10 measles cases. Officials have not yet disclosed the specific locations the patient visited before becoming infected with the virus.
