A person infected with measles visited a LongHorn Steakhouse in Georgia while contagious, prompting health officials to warn customers about a possible exposure.
According to WSB-TV, the Georgia Department of Public Health identified the restaurant in Perry as a potential exposure location during an investigation involving a confirmed measles case in nearby Macon County.
The Georgia measles exposure occurred on October 7, 2026, at the LongHorn Steakhouse located at 100 Hampton Court in Perry. Officials say anyone inside the restaurant between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. that evening may have come into contact with the virus.
Health authorities are asking those customers to review their vaccination records and remain alert for symptoms, particularly if they have never received the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
According to CBS News Atlanta, individuals who are not immune through vaccination or a previous measles infection should continue monitoring their health through October 28. That date marks 21 days after the potential exposure.
The restaurant visit was discovered as investigators traced the movements of a Macon County resident who had tested positive for measles. The person was infectious at the time of the visit, although officials have not established that every customer present was exposed or infected.
The warning follows an increase in measles cases across Georgia this year.
In an October 13 announcement, the Georgia Department of Public Health confirmed that the Macon County patient was unvaccinated, bringing the state’s reported total to 22 cases in 2026. Georgia recorded 10 confirmed cases throughout all of 2025.
Officials also revealed that the patient had contact with someone who had a confirmed measles infection in Pennsylvania. Although the Georgia resident had no known travel history, investigators identified the contact while attempting to determine how the infection spread.
At the time of the state’s announcement, the individual was isolating at home, while unvaccinated close contacts were quarantining.
The Georgia measles exposure warning has renewed attention on how easily the virus can spread in public spaces.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, measles travels through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus can remain airborne for up to two hours after that individual leaves an enclosed area.
The CDC also explains that someone with measles can transmit the virus before developing the recognizable rash, meaning a person may be contagious before realizing they are sick.
Symptoms commonly appear seven to 14 days after exposure, although some individuals may not develop symptoms for as long as 21 days.
Early warning signs include a high fever, persistent cough, runny nose, and red or watery eyes. A red rash generally develops afterward, beginning around the head or face before spreading down the body.
People who visited the restaurant during the identified exposure window and develop symptoms are advised to remain home and contact a healthcare provider immediately. Georgia health officials specifically warn against arriving at a doctor’s office, hospital, or public health clinic without calling ahead, since doing so could expose additional patients and medical staff.
The CDC recommends that anyone who believes they were exposed contact a healthcare provider, even before symptoms develop. Medical professionals can review vaccination records, determine whether someone is likely to have immunity, and advise on appropriate next steps.
State officials are also encouraging Georgia residents to make sure their MMR vaccinations are current.
In the October 13 health advisory, Georgia State Epidemiologist Cherie Drenzek emphasized the importance of immunization.
“The MMR vaccine is safe and effective. Measles spreads quickly, and vaccination now can help prevent further spread,” Drenzek said.
“One dose provides about 93% protection against measles, and two doses increase protection to about 97%.”
The CDC recommends that children receive their first MMR dose between 12 and 15 months old, followed by a second dose between ages 4 and 6. Adults who are uncertain about their immunity can consult a healthcare professional to determine whether additional vaccination is appropriate.
Measles can cause serious complications, particularly among young children, pregnant women, people with weakened immune systems, and adults over 20, according to the CDC.
Anyone who visited the Perry LongHorn Steakhouse between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. on October 7 and lacks immunity should remain alert for symptoms through October 28.
