Measles Detected In Metro ATL In 1st Case Of 2025

ATLANTA, GA — The first measles case of the year has been detected in metro Atlanta, the Georgia Department of Public Health said Tuesday.

The resident was not vaccinated for the infectious virus and contracted the measles while traveling in the U.S., the DPH said. Health officials are searching for anyone who may have been in contact with the person between Jan. 19 and Friday, the DPH said.

While this is the first case of measles this year, the DPH said six people contracted the virus in 2024 in Georgia.

The highly contagious virus can spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes and can linger in the air for up to two hours after the infected person has left the room, the DPH said.

Symptoms appear 7-14 days after a person has developed the measles. They move from the head into the rest of the body, the DPH said.

They can include a high fever, cough, runny nose and watery eyes. Then, the DPH said a rash of tiny, red spots can appear.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises that children receive their first dose of the measles, mumps, rubella vaccine between 12-15 months old and a second dose between 4-6 years old.

The DPH said at least 95 percent of the people who receive a single dose of MMR will have immunity to all three viruses. A second dose helps to enhance immunity, the DPH said.

Anyone who has symptoms of the measles should call their health care provider, the DPH said.