DPH Confirms Three New Measles Cases
Close Contacts of Previous Case in Macon County
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- Written by: Georgia Department of Public Health
- Category: Media Releases
October 27, 2026
Click here for this GA DPH NEWS RELEASE
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ATLANTA — The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) has confirmed three additional measles cases in Macon County. All three individuals were unvaccinated and had close contact with a measles case confirmed on October 12, 2026. DPH has notified others who may have been exposed and are at increased risk of developing measles.
Vaccination is the best protection against measles. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine for children: the first at 12–15 months and the second at 4–6 years. Parents with questions about vaccination should talk to their healthcare provider.
Anyone experiencing measles symptoms should contact their healthcare provider immediately. Do not go to a doctor's office, hospital, or public health clinic without calling ahead to report your symptoms. This helps prevent measles from spreading to others.
These three cases bring Georgia's total to 25 confirmed measles cases in 2026, compared to 10 cases in all of 2025.
For more information about measles, visit https://dph.georgia.gov/epidemiology/acute-disease-epidemiology/vaccine-preventable-diseases/measles or https://www.cdc.gov/measles/index.html.
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NOTE: MMR Vaccine is Available at all our County Health Departments in the North Georgia Health District. Find and contact the one nearest you at www.nghd.org.
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- Details
- Written by: Jennifer King, Public Information Officer
- Category: Media Releases
North GA - In observance of the state holiday, all Public Health Facilities in North Georgia Health District 1-2 in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens, and Whitfield counties will be closed Monday, October 12.⠀
This includes:
• All County Health Departments
• Environmental Health offices
• Children with Special Needs services
• WIC offices
• The District office
• The Living Bridge Center clinics in Canton, Dalton, and Gainesville
⠀
Normal hours will resume on Tuesday, October 13. Thank you!
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- Details
- Written by: Jennifer King, Public Information Officer
- Category: Media Releases
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
North Georgia Health District 1-2
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Rabies Vaccine Bait Drops Scheduled for Parts of North Georgia
NORTH GA — Residents in parts of Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens, and Whitfield counties may notice low-flying aircraft this October as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) distributes oral rabies vaccine baits to help protect raccoons and prevent the spread of rabies.
Helicopter distribution was scheduled to begin on or about October 7, 2026, including in Dalton and Tunnel Hill. Airplane distribution across the broader vaccination area is scheduled to begin on or about October 20, 2026. Aerial bait drops are expected to last about one week.
More than 500,000 vaccine baits will be distributed across the broader Georgia vaccination area. The baits are small packets containing liquid vaccine, coated with an oily, fish-scented substance that attracts raccoons. Each bait displays a toll-free information number.
If you find a bait:
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Leave it alone so wildlife can find it.
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If an intact bait must be moved, wear gloves or use a towel to place it in nearby woods or brush. Wash your hands afterward.
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Do not try to remove a bait from your pet’s mouth. You could be bitten and exposed to the vaccine. Eating several baits may cause temporary stomach upset in pets.
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If you come into contact with the liquid vaccine, wash the affected area immediately and contact your local health department for guidance.
For questions about the bait drops, call USDA at 1-866-487-3297 or visit https://www.aphis.usda.gov/national-wildlife-programs/rabies.
To find public health services, find your local North Georgia county health department at www.nghd.org.
Please note: 2026 Fall ORV Notification Letter
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- Details
- Written by: Georgia Department of Public Health
- Category: Press Room
September 30, 2026
DPH Confirms Five Additional Measles Cases in Georgia
Measles is spreading, but it is preventable.
Click here for this GA DPH NEWS RELEASE
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ATLANTA — The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) has confirmed five measles cases in members of a Jasper County family. The individuals are siblings, and they were either unvaccinated or under-vaccinated. At least one sibling has a history of out-of-state travel.
DPH is working to identify individuals who may have been exposed to measles through contact with these individuals. These cases are not related to the earlier outbreak in Cobb County.
Measles spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The measles virus can stay in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours after an infected person has left the room. Measles is highly contagious, but the MMR vaccine can prevent it.
Measles symptoms typically appear 7 to 14 days after exposure to the virus, but can be up to 21 days. Symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, and watery eyes. Then, a rash of tiny red spots appears starting at the head and spreading to the rest of the body.
The MMR vaccine is safe and effective at preventing measles, mumps, and rubella. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that children receive their first dose of the MMR vaccine between 12 and 15 months of age and a second dose between 4 and 6 years of age. For babies aged 6-11 months traveling internationally, the CDC recommends a single dose of the MMR vaccine before travel, followed by two additional doses after their first birthday. Parents with questions about the vaccine or the vaccination schedule should consult their physician.
More than 95% of people who receive a single dose of MMR will develop immunity to all three viruses. A second dose boosts immunity, typically enhancing protection to 98%. People vaccinated with the MMR vaccine also help protect others who are too young or medically unable to be vaccinated.
Anyone with measles symptoms should contact their healthcare provider immediately. DO NOT go to the doctor’s office, the hospital, or a public health clinic without first calling to let them know about your symptoms. Healthcare providers who suspect measles in a patient should notify public health immediately.
With these five additional cases, Georgia has 21 confirmed measles cases so far in 2026. Georgia had 10 confirmed measles cases in 2025.
For more information about measles, visit https://dph.georgia.gov/measles-georgia or https://www.cdc.gov/measles/index.html.
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NOTE: MMR Vaccine is Available at all our County Health Departments in the North Georgia Health District. Contact the one nearest you at www.nghd.org.
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