Georgia health officials are warning the public about a possible measles exposure at a LongHorn Steakhouse in Perry after an individual with a confirmed infection visited the restaurant while contagious. The Georgia Department of Public Health issued the warning on October 19, urging diners who may have been exposed to check their vaccination records and monitor for symptoms.
The potential exposure occurred on October 7, between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., at the LongHorn Steakhouse located at 100 Hampton Court in Perry, Georgia. Investigators identified the restaurant during an ongoing investigation into a measles case involving a resident of Macon County.
Health officials are asking anyone who visited the restaurant during the three-hour window to verify their measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination status. People without immunity from vaccination or a previous measles infection should monitor for symptoms through October 28.
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person has left an area, making public exposure investigations particularly important.
Early symptoms typically include a high fever, cough, runny nose and red or watery eyes. A red rash usually develops several days later, beginning around the head or hairline before spreading across the body. Symptoms generally appear 7–14 days after exposure but can take up to 21 days to develop.
Anyone who develops symptoms after a possible exposure should contact a healthcare provider immediately and call ahead before visiting a clinic, hospital or doctor’s office. This allows medical staff to take precautions and reduce the risk of exposing other patients.
The MMR vaccine remains the best protection against measles. Georgia health officials continue to encourage vaccination as the state responds to additional cases. The department reported 22 measles cases in Georgia for 2026 as of its October 13 update, compared with 10 cases reported throughout 2025.
