Georgia sees 3 new measles cases as state triples total from last year

OGLETHORPE, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Georgia health officials have confirmed three new measles cases in Macon County, all linked to a previously reported infection.The Georgia Department of Public Health says the three patients were close contacts of a measles case confirmed on Oct. 12, also in Macon County. The agency says it has notified others who may have been exposed and are at higher risk of getting sick.These latest cases bring Georgia’s total to 28 confirmed measles infections so far in 2026. That’s nearly three times the 10 cases reported in all of 2025.Measles is highly contagious and can be serious, especially for young children and people with weakened immune systems. Health officials say vaccination is the best protection. The CDC recommends two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine for children — the first at 12 to 15 months and the second at 4 to 6 years old.Anyone who develops measles symptoms — which can include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and a rash —