Measles Surge: South Carolina's Growing Outbreak and Vaccination Concerns

South Carolina is grappling with a significant measles outbreak, with 88 new cases confirmed recently, pushing the total to 646. The majority of these cases are concentrated in the Upstate region, particularly around Spartanburg County, which shares a border with North Carolina. Currently, 538 individuals are under quarantine, while 33 are in isolation. The quarantine period for the latest cases is set to end on February 23. The outbreak has also affected at least 15 schools, including elementary, middle, and high schools, where students are currently in quarantine. Health officials have issued warnings about potential exposures at Clemson University and Anderson University, both located in northwestern South Carolina. A combined 88 students from these universities are in quarantine. Additionally, some individuals visited public places while infectious, including a Publix in Duncan on January 16 and a Food Lion in Inman on January 11 and 12. Those exposed at these locations are advised to monitor for symptoms until early February. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends two doses of the MMR vaccine for effective measles prevention. The first dose is given between 12 to 15 months of age, and the second between 4 to 6 years old. One dose is 93% effective, while two doses boost effectiveness to 97%.However, vaccination rates have been declining in recent years. During the 2024-2025 school year, only 92. 5% of kindergartners received the MMR vaccine, a slight decrease from the previous year and significantly lower than pre-pandemic rates. This decline raises concerns about community immunity and the potential for outbreaks. Vaccination rates vary widely across the United States. Some counties have high vaccination rates, with 85% or more of children under 5 receiving at least one dose of the measles vaccine. In contrast, other areas have very high risk, with fewer than 60% of young children vaccinated. The current outbreak in South Carolina comes as the nation marks one year since the first measles cases were confirmed in western Texas. It remains unclear if these cases are linked to outbreaks in other states. If continuous transmission is confirmed for 12 months, the U. S. could lose its measles elimination status, which was achieved in 2000. Last year, the U. S. saw its highest number of measles cases since 1992, with 2, 242 cases reported across 44 states. So far this year, 171 cases have been recorded in nine states, highlighting the ongoing threat of measles.