Nearly 1,000 infections over six months prompt public health response, increased vaccinations, and renewed scrutiny of national measles status.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
South Carolina health authorities have officially declared an end to a widespread measles outbreak that infected 997 individuals over a six-month period, marking the largest outbreak confined to a single location in the United States since measles was declared eliminated in 2000.
The outbreak began in October 2025 and primarily affected unvaccinated school-age children, according to the South Carolina Department of Public Health. The final confirmed case was recorded on March 15. Officials then observed a 42-day period—twice the maximum incubation time for the virus—without additional cases before announcing the outbreak’s conclusion.
Federal health officials, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, supported the state’s response by assisting with data analysis and outbreak monitoring.
Of the total cases, 932 occurred among individuals who had not received a measles vaccination. Spartanburg County accounted for more than 90% of infections, making it the epicenter of the outbreak. Children between the ages of 5 and 17 represented the majority of cases, with 639 infections reported in that age group.
The outbreak resulted in significant public health measures, including the quarantine of 874 students across 33 schools. State officials estimated the total cost of the response at approximately $2.1 million.
Health authorities also reported a notable increase in vaccination activity during the outbreak. More than 81,000 measles vaccine doses were administered statewide, reflecting a 31% rise compared to the previous year.
The outbreak occurred amid a broader increase in measles cases nationwide. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the United States recorded 2,288 confirmed measles cases in 2025, the highest annual total since 1991. As of April 23 this year, 1,792 cases have already been reported.
Measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000, a designation indicating that the disease was no longer spreading continuously within the country. That status is currently under review by the Pan American Health Organization, which has postponed a decision until November as it evaluates recent trends in transmission.
Public health officials have indicated that the South Carolina outbreak highlights ongoing challenges in maintaining herd immunity and preventing the reestablishment of sustained measles transmission in the United States.
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