South Carolina Adds 99 Measles Cases as Outbreak Expands

Health officials in South Carolina have confirmed 99 additional measles cases, pushing the statewide total to 310 as of Jan. 9. The Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) said 200 people are currently under quarantine, and the agency continues to warn that far more residents may have been exposed without realizing it.

Most of the new infections are concentrated in and around Spartanburg County, according to DHEC. The cluster is part of an outbreak that began in 2025 and has accelerated despite ongoing vaccination campaigns. Epidemiologists said the latest figures suggest sustained community transmission rather than isolated incidents.

State Epidemiologist Dr. Linda Bell noted that the number of people ordered to remain at home does not necessarily reflect the true scope of exposure. She cautioned that a single untreated measles case can lead to up to 20 additional infections among unvaccinated contacts, underscoring the potential for rapid spread in communities with low immunization coverage.

In response to the growing case count, DHEC issued a statewide health alert on Jan. 7 advising clinics, hospitals and other medical facilities to heighten screening for measles symptoms, implement mask requirements where appropriate and immediately isolate anyone suspected of carrying the virus. The alert also reminds providers to verify patients’ vaccination records, especially in pediatric settings.

The South Carolina outbreak is unfolding against a backdrop of rising measles activity nationwide. The United States recorded 2,144 cases in 2025, the highest tally since 1992, with illnesses reported in nearly every state. Federal data show that close to 50 separate outbreaks occurred last year, compared with 16 in 2024 and just four in 2023.

Approximately 93 percent of last year’s U.S. measles patients were either unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Public-health officials point to declining routine immunization rates as a key factor behind the nationwide resurgence.

The CDC recommends two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine: the first between 12 and 15 months of age, and the second between 4 and 6 years. One dose is considered 93 percent effective at preventing measles; the full two-dose series raises protection to 97 percent.

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Vaccination coverage among kindergartners has slipped in recent years. During the 2024–2025 school year, 92.5 percent of U.S. kindergartners had received the MMR vaccine, down from 92.7 percent in 2023–2024 and 95.2 percent in 2019–2020, the last full academic year before the COVID-19 pandemic. Health authorities say even small declines can weaken herd immunity and create pockets where the virus spreads easily.

DHEC continues to encourage residents to check their immunization status and schedule the MMR vaccine if they are unprotected. Individuals born after 1957 who cannot provide proof of vaccination or laboratory evidence of immunity are advised to receive at least one dose. Those who live, work or attend school in areas experiencing active transmission, including Spartanburg County, are urged to complete the full series as soon as possible.

Measles is a highly contagious airborne disease that can remain infectious in the air for up to two hours after an infected person coughs or sneezes. Symptoms typically appear 7–14 days after exposure and include high fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and a characteristic rash. Complications can involve pneumonia, encephalitis and, in rare cases, death, particularly among young children and immunocompromised individuals.

Residents who believe they have been exposed should monitor for symptoms, avoid public places and contact their healthcare provider before visiting a medical facility. Additional information about measles transmission, vaccination schedules and outbreak updates is available from the CDC measles resource center.

Crédito da imagem: Shannon Stapleton/Reuters