Health
Measles Outbreak Grows in South Carolina
Health Points
- Measles cases in upstate South Carolina have risen sharply after recent holidays.
- Low MMR vaccination rates are contributing to ongoing school-based outbreaks.
- Symptoms can be severe, but two-dose MMR vaccination offers strong protection.
State health officials warn that the measles outbreak in upstate South Carolina is gaining speed, with no clear end in sight after Thanksgiving and other large gatherings. There are now 111 reported cases, most clustered in Greenville and Spartanburg.
“We are faced with ongoing transmission that we anticipate will go on for many more weeks,” said Dr. Linda Bell, state epidemiologist, during a recent briefing.
Twenty-seven cases have surfaced since last Friday, a spike linked to travel, gatherings, and lagging vaccination rates. In Spartanburg County, only 90% of K-12 students have received the MMR vaccine, falling short of the 95% recommended threshold for outbreak prevention.
Mobile clinics were dispatched to boost vaccination, but turnout has been low according to health officials. No additional clinics are scheduled at this time.
Measles is highly contagious, often infecting those who are not vaccinated. Transmission has occurred in several schools and a local church, leading to a three-week quarantine for 254 individuals.
Some unvaccinated students are facing a second, lengthy quarantine since September, which can mean up to 42 days away from class.
The issue isn’t confined to South Carolina: 1,912 U.S. cases have been reported this year, mostly in children and teens without vaccinations. Other states such as Arizona, Utah, and Colorado are also experiencing outbreaks.
Health officials remind families that measles initially presents with fever, headache, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and tiny white spots in the mouth, followed by a spreading rash. Hospitalization is required for roughly 11-12% of cases, and several deaths have been documented in the U.S. so far this year.
Receiving two doses of the MMR vaccine gives approximately 97% protection from the virus.
Stay tuned to your local health department for updates and talk to your healthcare provider if you have questions about vaccinations or recent exposures.
