Measles outbreak at Atlanta daycare grows to 10 cases, virus makes comeback nationally

ATLANTA—The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) has confirmed two additional measles cases associated with the outbreak at a metro Atlanta daycare. 

The latest cases bring the daycare outbreak total to 10, officials said on Friday, Sept. 11. Authorities have not disclosed the name of the daycare. The children who have tested positive were either unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated, officials said. DPH continues to work to identify and notify individuals who may have been exposed to measles. 

So far, Georgia has 16 confirmed measles cases in 2026, which includes the daycare outbreak. 

Measles is resurging across the nation, with more than 3,294 confirmed cases as of Sept. 10. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the latest numbers mark the worst in the U.S. since 1991. For all of 2025, a total of 2,289 confirmed cases were reported in the U.S., the agency said.

 Officials say that 47 jurisdictions have reported confirmed measles cases this year: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, New York State, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. 

Measles symptoms typically appear 7 to 14 days after exposure to the virus, but may range from 4 to 21 days. Symptoms usually start with high fever, cough, runny nose, and watery eyes. Then a rash of tiny red spots breaks out, usually starting at the head and spreading to the rest of the body.

The MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine can prevent measles and rubella, DPH stated. The vaccine is safe and effective, and parents with questions about the vaccine or the vaccination schedule can consult their physician. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that children receive their first dose of MMR vaccine between 12 and 15 months of age and a second dose between 4 and 6 years of age.  

Anyone who becomes sick or thinks they may have been exposed to measles should follow this guidance:

• Contact your healthcare provider immediately and let them know that you may have been exposed to measles. If you do not have a doctor, please call the DPH Acute Disease Epidemiology Section at 404-657-2588 during business hours, Monday through Friday, or 1-866-PUB-HLTH (1-866-782-4584) after hours on evenings and weekends.
• DO NOT go to the doctor’s office, the hospital, or a public health clinic without FIRST calling to let them know about your possible contact with measles. Your healthcare provider or public health nurse will advise you on what to do.
• Stay at home and avoid contact with other people, especially babies less than 1 year of age or people with weakened immune systems. 

For more information about measles, visit georgiameasles.com  or https://www.cdc.gov/measles/index.html.