Georgia Department of Health confirms sixth measles case in 2025

June 20th, 2025

The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed a sixth case of measles in the state this year on Wednesday, June 18.

Leo Correa / Associated Press

The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed on Wednesday that a new case of measles has been detected, marking the sixth documented case of the virus in the state this year.

It is also the second case where the unvaccinated individual is a family member to a metro Atlanta resident who contracted the disease last month after traveling internationally.

According to the DPH, while the disease is no longer common in the United States, it is widespread in many parts of the world, including Europe, Africa and Asia.

Officials say that the individual was quarantined at home following the exposure, so there are no additional exposures they believe will require follow-ups. Additionally, the other two cases associated with the outbreak have made a full recovery and the period for monitoring individuals exposed to the index case in May has ended.

Measles is classified as a contagious disease that spreads through the air when an infected person sneezes or coughs. The virus stays in the air or on surfaces of a room for up to two hours and can infect others anywhere from 7 to 14 days after contact.

Common symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose and watery eyes. Then, a rash of tiny, red spots breaks out, starting at the head and spreading to the rest of the body.

The department encourages residents to get the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine to prevent measles and rubella. More than 95% of the people who receive a single dose of MMR will develop immunity to all three viruses, with a second dose boosting immunity, typically enhancing protection to 98%, according to the department.

Children should receive their first dose of MMR vaccine between 12-15 months of age and a second dose between 4-6 years of age, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Measles cases have been relatively rare in Georgia in the past five years, according to DPH. Eighteen cases were documented in 2019, followed by one in 2020 and none for the next three years. That jumped to six cases in 2024.