GEORGIA – The Coastal Health District of Georgia reported that a baby, who was too young to receive the measles vaccination, has tested positive for measles.
According to officials, the child contracted the virus while traveling outside the United States.
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Medical experts say children younger than 5 who contract measles face a high risk of complications, especially unvaccinated infants. This concern is why health officials in Georgia are raising alarms after a baby too young to be vaccinated acquired the virus.
“Measles is more severe in younger children than in older children,” said Dr. Shalika Katugaha, system medical director of infectious diseases for Baptist Health.
She continued, “Infants younger than 12 months face elevated risk factors for severe complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis—which is inflammation of the brain—and death, compared to older children...the mom’s antibodies wane in these children, and they’re ineligible for routine vaccine before 9 to 12 months of age.”
As of last Wednesday, there were only three new reported measles cases nationwide for 2026, which started nearly two weeks ago. The case in Coastal Georgia now makes it four.
Last year, there were 2,144 measles cases across the country. Most cases were among children ages 5 to 19, followed by children under age 5.
Ninety-three percent of those infected were unvaccinated. Three of last year’s measles cases ended in death. The U.S. saw more measles cases last year than in the last three decades.
“Our best protection is the vaccine,” Dr. Katugaha said. “With people being vaccine hesitant, not wanting the vaccine, refusing the vaccine, there’s been a dramatic global resurgence.”
Georgia health officials are working to identify everyone who came in contact with the baby who recently tested positive for the virus.
Read more about the virus here.