South Carolina warns caution

South Carolina health officials said the state’s measles outbreak could be declared over on April 26 if no new outbreak-linked cases are reported before then. (dph.sc.gov) The South Carolina Department of Public Health said on April 21 that the outbreak total remained 997 cases, centered around Spartanburg County, and that the last outbreak-related case was reported on March 17. (dph.sc.gov) State officials said measles outbreaks are declared over only after 42 straight days without a new related case, which equals two full incubation periods for the virus. (wltx.com) The possible end date applies to the Upstate outbreak, not to every measles investigation in the state. DPH announced a separate Saluda County case on April 17 and said on April 21 that 41 people were still in quarantine tied to that exposure, with quarantine expected to end May 9. (wltx.com) Health officials have kept warning schools and families that measles spreads before a rash appears and can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves. (dph.sc.gov) South Carolina requires two doses of measles, mumps and rubella vaccine for kindergarten through 12th grade school entry, but DPH said only 92.1% of kindergarten students had both doses in the 2023-24 school year, down from 95% in 2019-20. (dph.sc.gov) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says communities usually need measles, mumps and rubella coverage above 95% to keep most people protected through community immunity. CDC said U.S. kindergarten measles, mumps and rubella coverage was 92.5% in the 2024-25 school year. (cdc.gov) The South Carolina outbreak has unfolded during a larger national surge. CDC said 1,748 confirmed measles cases had been reported in the United States as of April 16, with 94% tied to outbreaks. (cdc.gov) For now, the state’s message is narrower than “all clear.” Officials said vaccination remains the best protection, and they are still posting weekly outbreak updates each Tuesday at 1 p.m. (dph.sc.gov)