In 2025 and early 2026, South Carolina emerged as the epicenter of a significant public health crisis, recording its largest measles outbreak since the disease was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000. What began as a handful of travel-related cases in the summer of 2025 quickly spiraled into a widespread community outbreak centered in the Upstate region, particularly Spartanburg County.
As of February 24, 2026, the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) has confirmed a staggering 979 cases of measles, representing a massive surge from the single case reported in the state during all of 2024. This outbreak has not only strained local healthcare resources but has also served as a stark warning about the consequences of declining vaccination rates.
The Scale of the Outbreak
The current outbreak was first formally identified in early October 2025, when DPH officials noted a cluster of cases in Spartanburg. While early cases were linked to international travel, investigators soon found evidence of “unrecognized community spread”—meaning the virus was moving between residents who had no known travel history or contact with travelers.
The growth of the virus in South Carolina has been rapid:
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October 2025: The outbreak began with roughly 8–10 cases.
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January 2026: Cases surpassed 300 by the first week of the year and exploded to over 700 by late January.
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February 2026: The total reached 979 cases, making it one of the largest single-state outbreaks in decades.
According to DPH data, the vast majority of these infections occurred in unvaccinated individuals. In early January, for example, 172 out of 185 reported cases were among those who had not received the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine.
Why Is Measles Spreading Now?
Public health experts point to a “perfect storm” of high transmissibility and low immunity. Measles is one of the most contagious diseases known to man; the CDC estimates that if one person has the virus, up to 90% of the people close to them who are not immune will also become infected. Furthermore, the virus can linger in the air for up to two hours after an infected person has left a room.
The primary driver of the South Carolina surge is a dip in vaccination coverage. To maintain “herd immunity”—the level of protection needed to stop a virus from spreading through a community—roughly 95% of the population must be vaccinated. However, data for the 2023–2024 school year showed that South Carolina’s kindergarten MMR vaccination rate had slipped to approximately 92.7%, creating pockets of vulnerability that the virus was able to exploit.
Symptoms and Risks
The DPH and CDC emphasize that measles is far more than “just a rash.” It typically begins with a high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. Several days later, a characteristic red, blotchy rash appears, usually starting on the face and spreading downward.
The complications can be severe, particularly for children under five and immunocompromised individuals:
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Pneumonia: The most common cause of measles-related death in children.
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Encephalitis: Swelling of the brain that can lead to permanent brain damage.
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Hospitalization: Approximately 1 in 5 unvaccinated people who get measles will require hospital care.
The Public Health Response
In response to the crisis, South Carolina health officials have activated mobile health units to provide free MMR vaccines in affected areas. They have also implemented strict quarantine protocols, requiring hundreds of unvaccinated students and exposed individuals to stay home for up to 21 days—the maximum incubation period for the virus.
Health officials continue to urge residents to check their vaccination records. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are roughly 97% effective at preventing the disease for life. For those who suspect they have been exposed, doctors advise calling ahead before visiting a clinic to prevent further transmission in waiting rooms.
For the latest updates on the situation and a list of potential exposure sites, residents are encouraged to visit the South Carolina DPH Measles Outbreak page and the CDC’s national measles tracker.