Measles resurges in South Carolina

South Carolina’s measles outbreak has reached 997 cases centered on Spartanburg County, the state’s largest total in decades. (dph.sc.gov) The South Carolina Department of Public Health said the outbreak began on October 2, 2025, in the Upstate and was still active as of April 7, 2026. State officials said most infections were among close contacts of known cases. (dph.sc.gov) Local reporting identified Spartanburg County as the outbreak’s epicenter and said fewer than 90 percent of students there had received required vaccines. A March 31 report by WLTX said the outbreak could be declared over on April 26 if no new cases are reported. (wspa.com) (wltx.com) Measles spreads so easily that communities usually need about 95 percent vaccination coverage to block outbreaks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said United States kindergarten coverage for the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine fell to 92.5 percent in the 2024-2025 school year. (cdc.gov) Infants are a particular concern because the routine first measles, mumps, and rubella dose is given at 12 through 15 months, leaving younger babies dependent on immunity in the people around them. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said infants ages 6 through 11 months can get an early dose in outbreak settings or before international travel, but they still need two more doses later. (cdc.gov 1) (cdc.gov 2) South Carolina health officials said the vaccine is required for childcare and school attendance unless a student has a valid exemption. The department also said vaccination remains the main protection against measles. (dph.sc.gov) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published a scenario assessment last month saying a larger South Carolina outbreak lasting at least six months, with some spread beyond the affected community, was the most likely path. The agency said outbreak size and duration depend heavily on local immunity levels and how connected the affected community is to surrounding areas. (cdc.gov) KGUN and WSPA both reported that pediatricians in South Carolina are warning that babies have become especially exposed as vaccination rates slip and anti-vaccine activism gains visibility. State health officials, by contrast, have kept their public guidance focused on case tracking, quarantine, and vaccination access. (kgun9.com) (wspa.com) (dph.sc.gov) For now, the state’s case count is no longer climbing quickly, but South Carolina is still counting down to the end of a measles outbreak that started more than six months ago. (wltx.com) (dph.sc.gov)