ATLANTA — A measles outbreak linked to a metro Atlanta daycare is growing, with two new cases bringing the total number of cases connected to the daycare to 10.
The Georgia Department of Public Health has confirmed 16 measles cases statewide so far in 2026.
The growing outbreak is raising concerns for parents, particularly those with young children who may not yet be old enough to receive the routine measles, mumps and rubella, or MMR, vaccine.
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Pediatrician and Co-author of Heading Home with Your Newborn: From Birth to Reality. Dr. Jennifer Shu says measles is highly contagious and can spread through the air.
“I’ve been in practice for 30 years…and I’ve never seen a case of measles, and I hope to never in my life,” Shu said.
Shu says infected droplets can remain in the air for hours, meaning someone could potentially be exposed even after an infected person has left an area.
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“Any infected droplets can stick around for a few hours…so even if the infected person has left and someone else comes in they could then get infected,” Shu said.
Symptoms typically appear seven to 14 days after exposure. Measles often begins with a high fever, cough, runny nose and watery eyes. A red rash usually develops afterward, starting on the head and spreading down the body.
Parents who believe their child may have been exposed should contact their pediatrician or local health department for guidance.
If a child develops symptoms and measles is suspected, parents should call their pediatrician before going into the office. Calling ahead allows medical staff to take precautions to prevent exposing other patients and staff.
Measles can also cause serious complications. Shu says those can include deafness and brain damage. She also warns about “immune amnesia,” which can affect the immune system’s ability to remember previous infections.
“There are possible complications to measles…Things like deafness, brain damage but there is something called immune amnesia – where it wipes out your immune history,” Shu said.
Health experts say the MMR vaccine is the best protection against measles. The CDC recommends the first dose between 12 and 15 months of age and the second dose between 4 and 6 years old.
For parents whose children are too young to receive the routine vaccine, an exposure can be especially concerning.
Emma Shaughnessy, a metro Atlanta mother, said she is worried because her daughter is not yet old enough for the MMR vaccine.
“Terrified. She’s too young for MMR right now and there’s nothing I can do to prevent it,” Shaughnessy said.
Shaughnessy said her family is staying on schedule with her daughter’s recommended vaccinations.
“We’re right on schedule for everything she needs to stay healthy,” she said.
The Georgia Department of Public Health says it is working to identify and notify anyone who may have been exposed to measles as the outbreak continues.
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