South Carolina is now facing the largest measles outbreak in the United States since the disease was declared eliminated more than 20 years ago, with confirmed cases climbing to 789, surpassing the major Texas outbreak of 2025 that sickened 762 people and claimed the lives of two young children.
State health officials reported that 89 new infections were confirmed in just a few days, signaling that transmission remains widespread. The outbreak, which began in October, is heavily concentrated in Spartanburg County, where most patients are either unvaccinated or unsure of their vaccination status. To limit further spread, 557 people are currently under a 21-day quarantine, and students from more than 20 schools have been sent home due to potential exposure.
Children and teenagers account for the vast majority of infections, with over 88% of cases occurring in those under 17. So far, 18 people, including children, have been hospitalized, though no deaths have been reported in South Carolina. Health authorities say only 20 patients were fully vaccinated, while more than 690 had no protection at all, underscoring how quickly measles can spread in communities with low vaccination rates.
The outbreak’s impact is no longer limited to South Carolina. Linked cases have surfaced in North Carolina, California, and Washington, and additional probable cases have been reported elsewhere. In North Carolina alone, 14 cases have been confirmed, many connected directly to the South Carolina surge. More than 170 people in Union County were quarantined following exposure at a private school where vaccination coverage sits just above 60%.
The rapid spread has pushed the United States dangerously close to losing its measles elimination status, a milestone achieved in 2000 after years of aggressive vaccination efforts. Federal health officials warn that if the virus continues circulating from a single source for more than a year, the designation could be revoked as early as this fall.
Nationwide, 2025 marked the worst year for measles since 1991, with 2,255 confirmed cases. So far in 2026, at least 416 infections have already been recorded across 14 states, even before including South Carolina’s most recent numbers. Another growing outbreak is also underway along the Arizona–Utah border.
Federal health officials say they are stepping up support, with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services approving $1.4 million in emergency funding to help South Carolina manage the crisis. The CDC is also working closely with state health departments to track transmission and contain further spread.
Public health leaders stress that vaccination remains the most effective tool to halt the outbreak and prevent measles from regaining a permanent foothold in the U.S. Without significant improvements in immunization rates, they warn, similar outbreaks could continue to emerge nationwide.
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