ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) said three close contacts of a previous measles case in Macon County have tested positive for the disease.

The previous case had no known travel history, but they had contact with a confirmed measles case from Pennsylvania, where an ongoing measles outbreak has surpassed 1,100 cases, according to DPH.

DPH did not state if the new cases were unvaccinated.

The three new cases brings the number of measles cases in Georgia this year to 28.

Ten cases of measles were reported statewide in 2025, DPH said.

Measles, a highly contagious disease, spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves, according to DPH.

The department said symptoms typically appear 7–14 days after exposure but can take up to 21 days. Symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose and watery eyes, followed by a red rash that begins on the head and spreads to the rest of the body.

Anyone with measles symptoms should contact their healthcare provider immediately. DPH said patients should not go to a doctor’s office, hospital or public health clinic without calling ahead to report their symptoms. Healthcare providers who suspect measles should notify DPH immediately.

You can find more information on DPH’s website.

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