South Carolina is experiencing a significant measles outbreak, with 111 confirmed cases and hundreds quarantined as health officials emphasize the importance of vaccination to curb the spread.
A major measles outbreak in South Carolina has led to the quarantine of hundreds of residents in Spartanburg County. The South Carolina Department of Health (DPH) reported on Wednesday that the outbreak has resulted in 111 confirmed cases since it was first identified on October 2.
As part of the containment efforts, 254 individuals are currently in quarantine, while 16 others are in isolation to prevent further transmission of the virus. “This significant jump in cases is unfortunate,” a DPH spokesperson remarked during the media briefing.
Public exposure to the virus has been noted at Inman Intermediate School, where 43 students are now in quarantine. Additionally, eight other intermediate and middle schools in the area are also implementing quarantine measures. The DPH indicated that some students have had to quarantine multiple times due to repeated exposure.
Health officials continue to stress that vaccination is the most effective way to prevent the disruption caused by measles in education, employment, and community life. Out of the 111 confirmed cases, a staggering 105 individuals were unvaccinated. The DPH spokesperson highlighted that receiving a vaccination within 72 hours of exposure can prevent the onset of measles infection.
Some of the cases in Spartanburg County are linked to travel exposure, while others remain of unknown origin, suggesting that the virus is circulating within the community.
In a related development, Connecticut has reported its first measles case in four years. The Connecticut Department of Public Health confirmed on Thursday that an unvaccinated child under the age of 10 in Fairfield County was diagnosed with measles after returning from international travel. The child exhibited symptoms several days later, including a runny nose, cough, congestion, fever, and a rash that began on the head and spread across the body.
The Connecticut DPH emphasized that measles is “highly contagious” and can spread rapidly through the air via coughing or sneezing. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately nine out of ten unvaccinated individuals who come into contact with an infected person will contract the virus.
Furthermore, the International Vaccine Access Center has reported that more than 1,800 cases of measles were documented in 2025, marking the highest number since the U.S. declared the virus eliminated in 2000. This figure represents the most cases recorded in three decades.
DPH Commissioner Manisha Juthani, M.D., underscored the importance of vaccination in a recent statement, saying, “The single best way to protect your children and yourself from measles is to be vaccinated. One dose of measles vaccine is about 93% effective, while two doses are about 97% effective.”
As the outbreak continues, health officials are urging residents to ensure they are vaccinated to protect themselves and their communities from the ongoing threat of measles.
For more information on the outbreak and vaccination, residents are encouraged to consult the South Carolina Department of Health and other health resources.
According to Fox News, the situation remains fluid, and ongoing monitoring is essential to control the spread of this highly contagious virus.