Health officials in South Carolina are warning of the potential for “irreversible” neurological damage amid a measles outbreak that has resulted in numerous hospitalizations and complications.
South Carolina health officials have issued a stark warning regarding the risks associated with a measles outbreak that has led to an increase in hospitalizations. With 876 confirmed cases reported in the state’s upstate region, at least 19 patients have been hospitalized due to serious complications.
During a briefing on February 4, state epidemiologist Linda Bell highlighted the dangers of complications arising from measles, particularly in children. “Some of these complications include measles encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain, in children and pneumonia,” she stated.
Bell underscored that encephalitis is especially perilous for young patients. “Any time you have inflammation of the brain, there can be long-term consequences, things like developmental delays and impacts on the neurologic system that can be irreversible,” she cautioned.
While the state does not systematically track every medical complication, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that pneumonia is the leading cause of measles-related death among young children, affecting approximately one in every 20 infected minors.
In response to the outbreak, a total of 147 students have been quarantined across 10 K-12 schools in the area. The outbreak also poses a significant risk to expectant mothers, as the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine cannot be administered during pregnancy. Several women who were exposed to the virus have recently required emergency treatment with immune globulin to provide “passive immunity.”
Bell emphasized the importance of this treatment to “protect them against the high risk of complications during pregnancy and to protect their newborn babies.” The measles virus is known for its high contagion rate, capable of lingering in the air for up to two hours after an infected person has left a room, according to experts.
In light of the outbreak, South Carolina has experienced a historic surge in vaccinations. In January alone, Spartanburg County reported a 162% increase in MMR vaccinations compared to the previous year. “I’m hoping that what we can attribute [the vaccine surge] to is a wider recognition of the threat of this disease circulating in our communities and the desire for people to be protected against the complications,” Bell noted during the briefing.
Health officials continue to urge the public to seek vaccinations, especially as a new case in the Pee Dee region suggests that the virus may be spreading beyond the initial upstate clusters through “unrecognized community transmission.” Bell reiterated the importance of increasing vaccination coverage, stating, “These are complications we hope to prevent. Increasing vaccination coverage protects those who cannot be vaccinated, like young infants, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems.”
According to Source Name, the ongoing outbreak highlights the critical need for public awareness and proactive health measures to combat the spread of measles and protect vulnerable populations.