A measles outbreak linked to an Atlanta area daycare continues to grow as three more cases were confirmed by public health officials.
The Georgia Department of Public Health announced the total number of confirmed cases linked to the outbreak now stood at eight, as of Sept. 4.
The state of Georgia has now passed the total number of measles cases in 2025, mirroring a35-year high of measles cases
seen across the country.The Atlanta cases were all confirmed in children who were not yet vaccinated or who had not been fully vaccinated, meaning they had not yet received a second dose of the MMR vaccine.
Here's what to know about measles in Georgia.
How many measles cases have there been in Georgia in 2026?
As of Sept. 3, a total of 14 measles cases have been confirmed across the state of Georgia, according to data
from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which is headquartered in Atlanta.
The daycare outbreak in Atlanta would add an additional three cases to the total, which was not yet included in the CDC's data, bringing the actual total to 17 cases.
There have now been more cases of measles by September of 2026 than in all of 2025 in Georgia. There were 10 total measles cases in Georgia in 2025.
There are now more than 3,000 confirmed cases nationally, as of Sept. 4, rising above the roughly 2,200 cases seen across the United States last year.
The vast majority of cases are among unvaccinated individuals, ranging in age from 5 years old to older than 20 years old.
There have been 38 outbreaks in 2026, which includes groups of three or more cases stemming from one area, according to the CDC.
Is measles contagious?
Measles is a virus that is considered "very contagious" by health officials, and can spread through the air from coughs or sneezes as well as on surfaces. The measles virus can survive on surfaces for as long as two hours after an infected person has already left the area.
That's why places like daycares or other school settings can be perfect incubators for measles outbreaks.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the MMR vaccine — which is used to prevent measles, mumps and rubella — for all children. But, children are recommended to be vaccinated with their first dose between the ages of 12 and 15 months, and then their second dose isn't until between the ages of 4 and 6 years old. While the first dose means a child is largely protected from the infections, a second dose increases protection.
What are symptoms of measles?
Symptoms will start to appear between seven and 14 days after someone has been exposed to the virus, and includes fever, cough, runny nose and watery eyes. A rash of red spots also appears across your body, typically starting around your head.
If you believe you or your child may be experiencing measles symptoms, contact a health care provider right away.
Irene Wright is the Atlanta Connect reporter with USA Today’s Deep South Connect team. Find her on X @IreneEWright or email her at ismith@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Measles cases linked to Atlanta area daycare outbreak rise to eight
