Health officials are tracking potential exposure to measles in metro Atlanta, after an unvaccinated resident tested positive for the virus.
📌 What’s Happening: The Georgia Department of Public Health says the infected person was contagious between January 19th and 24th. The individual contracted the virus while traveling in the United States. Health workers are now identifying anyone who may have been in close contact during that time.
🦠 Why It Matters: Measles spreads quickly through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, and it can linger in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours. Early symptoms include a high fever, cough, and watery eyes, followed by a red, spotty rash that spreads from head to toe.
💉 Take Action: The measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine, known as MMR, is highly effective at preventing the virus. Health experts recommend children get two doses—the first between 12 and 15 months old, and the second between 4 and 6 years old. People with symptoms should contact their doctor by phone before visiting any medical facility.
Prior to widespread use of the vaccine, Measles killed 500 people per year and led to 48,000 hospitalizations each year.
📊 By the Numbers: This is Georgia’s first measles case in 2025. Last year, there were six reported cases statewide.
🔗 What’s Next: For more details about measles and how to protect yourself, visit the Georgia Department of Public Health’s website or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at cdc.gov.
B.T. Clark
B.T. Clark is an award-winning journalist and the Publisher of The Georgia Sun. He has 25 years of experience in journalism and served as Managing Editor of Neighbor Newspapers in metro Atlanta for 15 years and Digital Director at Times-Journal Inc. for 8 years. His work has appeared in several newspapers throughout the state including Neighbor Newspapers, The Cherokee Tribune and The Marietta Daily Journal. He is a Georgia native and a fifth-generation Georgian.
