A troubling measles outbreak continues to spread across the United States, including in Georgia.
As of July 23, 2026, the United States has recorded 2,318 confirmed measles cases this year—surpassing the full-year total of 2,289 cases reported in 2025 and marking the highest annual figure since 1991.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its data on July 24, reflecting confirmed cases reported as of noon the previous day.
U.S. Measles Cases Hit 35-Year High in 2026, Surpassing Last Year’s Total; Georgia Reports 5 Cases
Of these, 2,302 cases occurred among U.S. residents across 45 jurisdictions (including Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and many others), with an additional 16 cases among international visitors.39 Nearly all activity is linked to outbreaks: 35 new outbreaks have been reported in 2026, and 93% of cases (2,153) are outbreak-associated. Many of these stem from chains that began in 2025, particularly larger clusters in places such as South Carolina, Utah, and Texas.
Vaccination status remains the dominant risk factor. About 93% of cases involve people who were unvaccinated or whose status is unknown; 3% had received one dose of the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine, and 4% had received two doses.39 Hospitalizations stand at 7% of cases (151 people), with higher rates among children under 5 and adults 20 and older. No measles-related deaths have been reported in 2026 so far, compared with three in 2025.
Age distribution shows 20% of cases in children under 5, 49% in those aged 5–19, and 31% in adults 20 and older. Weekly case counts by rash onset have moderated in recent weeks (for example, 14 cases for the week of July 19 and 49 for July 12) after higher activity earlier in the year.
Georgia Statistics
Georgia has reported five confirmed measles cases in 2026, according to both CDC data and the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH).3941 This is lower than the state’s 10 cases in 2025 and comparable to the six cases in 2024.
The 2026 cases include:
- A January case involving an infant too young for routine vaccination who acquired measles during international travel.
- A February case in an unvaccinated resident of Bryan County (near Savannah).
- Three cases in May among members of a metro Atlanta family linked to international travel.
Georgia’s DPH has emphasized that the MMR vaccine is safe and highly effective, and it continues to urge vaccination and prompt reporting of suspected cases. No large community outbreak has been identified in the state; the cases appear limited to travel-related introductions and small family clusters. As of the latest available state data (updated through late June 2026), the total remains five.
Broader Context and Risks
Measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000, meaning no continuous endemic transmission for 12 months or more. The current surge—driven largely by declining childhood vaccination rates (kindergarten MMR coverage fell to about 92.5% in recent years, below the 95% threshold needed for herd immunity) and international travel—has put that status at risk. Public health experts and reviews by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) are monitoring whether ongoing chains of transmission will lead to a formal loss of elimination status, with a key assessment expected later in 2026.
Measles is extremely contagious—spreading through the air and remaining viable in rooms for up to two hours after an infected person leaves. Complications can include pneumonia, encephalitis, and, in rare cases, death, especially among young children and immunocompromised individuals.
Health officials continue to stress the importance of the two-dose MMR vaccine, which is about 97% effective after the second dose. Anyone who is unvaccinated or unsure of their status—particularly those planning travel, living in outbreak areas, or in close contact with infants—should consult a healthcare provider. Suspected cases should be reported immediately to local public health departments so that isolation, contact tracing, and post-exposure prophylaxis can limit further spread.
The situation remains fluid. CDC data are updated regularly, and additional cases are expected with ongoing summer travel. Residents are encouraged to check the latest figures on the CDC’s measles data page and follow guidance from state health departments, including Georgia’s DPH.