Measles Makes a Comeback: Why South Carolina is Struggling

South Carolina is facing a tough situation with measles. Over 110 people have gotten sick, and more than 250 others are stuck in quarantine because they might have been exposed. This is part of a bigger problem happening across the country. The outbreak started in October and is mostly in Spartanburg County. The virus has spread in places like schools, churches, and even hospitals. Experts say the reason it's spreading so much is because not enough people are vaccinated. In the 2024-25 school year, only about 90% of kids in Spartanburg County got all their required shots. That's lower than the national average and way below the 95% needed to stop measles from spreading. Some schools have even lower vaccination rates, which makes the problem worse. This year has been one of the worst for measles since it was declared eliminated in the U. S. over 20 years ago. The outbreak shows no signs of slowing down, and health officials are working hard to contain it. People are being asked to get vaccinated to protect themselves and others. Vaccines are one of the best ways to stop diseases like measles from spreading. It's important for everyone to do their part to keep the community safe.