South Carolina is experiencing a severe measles outbreak that has grown to 973 confirmed cases, with unvaccinated individuals making up 93% of those infected. The outbreak, centered in the Upstate region, has spread to schools, churches, and community spaces, prompting health officials to launch urgent vaccination campaigns and issue public exposure alerts.

How Serious Is the Current Measles Outbreak in South Carolina?

The measles outbreak in South Carolina has reached alarming proportions since it began. As of February 2026, the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) reported 973 total cases related to the Upstate outbreak. The outbreak has affected multiple age groups, with children bearing the heaviest burden. Among the 973 cases, the age breakdown reveals the vulnerability of younger populations: 254 cases in children under 5 years old, 625 cases in children ages 5 to 17, 85 cases in adults 18 and older, and 9 cases with unknown ages.

What makes this outbreak particularly concerning is the vaccination status of those infected. Of the 973 cases, 906 individuals were completely unvaccinated, 20 were partially vaccinated with only one dose of the recommended two-dose measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine sequence, 26 had received the full two-dose MMR sequence, and 21 had unknown vaccination status. This data underscores a critical gap in preventive care: the vast majority of infected individuals had not received the vaccine that could have prevented their illness.

Where Are Measles Exposures Happening in Communities?

Measles has spread beyond schools into public spaces where community members gather. The DPH identified multiple locations where infectious individuals exposed the public during specific time windows. These locations included Spartanburg Community College's Giles Campus on February 17 from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Costco in Spartanburg on February 17 from 12 to 3 p.m., Tabernacle of Salvation Slavic Church on February 15 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Westgate Baptist Church on February 11 from 6:30 to 10 p.m. .

Schools have been particularly hard hit by the outbreak. As of December 2025, 11 schools had identified measles exposures, with students placed in quarantine to prevent further spread. By February 2026, additional schools including Mabry Middle School, Libertas Academy, and Inman Intermediate had reported exposures. The DPH emphasized that people who were exposed at these locations should monitor for symptoms during specific timeframes, with monitoring periods ranging from March 4 to March 10, depending on the exposure location.

Steps to Protect Yourself and Your Family From Measles

• Get Vaccinated: The MMR vaccine is the most effective way to prevent measles. The vaccine requires two doses, spaced at least 28 days apart. Vaccination is available at primary care provider offices, pharmacies, and DPH Health Departments across South Carolina.
• Monitor for Symptoms: If you were exposed to measles at a public location or school, watch for symptoms including fever, cough, runny nose, and the characteristic measles rash. Symptoms typically appear 10 to 14 days after exposure. If you develop symptoms, contact your healthcare provider before seeking in-person care to allow medical facilities to take precautions.
• Stay Home When Ill: Measles is contagious from four days before the rash appears through four days after it develops. If you are sick or in quarantine, staying home protects others in your community, including vulnerable populations like infants and immunocompromised individuals.
• Notify Healthcare Providers of Exposure: Before visiting a doctor or clinic, inform them of any measles exposure so they can arrange appropriate precautions and protect other patients and staff.

Why Are Vaccination Rates So Low in This Outbreak?

The data reveals a troubling pattern of vaccine hesitancy or lack of access to preventive care. Among the 973 measles cases in the outbreak, 906 individuals, or approximately 93%, were completely unvaccinated. This suggests that a significant portion of the affected population either did not receive the MMR vaccine or chose not to be vaccinated. The outbreak demonstrates how preventive care gaps can rapidly escalate into public health crises, particularly in communities where vaccination rates fall below the threshold needed for herd immunity.

The DPH has responded by activating its Mobile Health Unit to bring free MMR vaccinations directly to communities. In March 2026, the Mobile Health Unit offered measles-mumps-rubella vaccination at no cost on Friday, March 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Grace Community Church in Spartanburg. Additionally, the DPH prioritized requests for MMR vaccination events from community organizations and took steps to increase appointment availability at health department locations to meet demand.

Health officials have also emphasized the importance of employer support for workers following DPH recommendations. When workers stay home while ill or in quarantine, they protect not only their colleagues and clients but also help stop the spread of measles in the broader community. This interconnected approach to preventive care recognizes that individual health decisions have community-wide consequences.

The South Carolina measles outbreak serves as a stark reminder of why preventive care, particularly vaccination, remains essential. With nearly 1,000 cases and the majority of infected individuals unvaccinated, the outbreak underscores the critical importance of maintaining high vaccination rates to protect vulnerable populations and prevent disease spread in schools, workplaces, and public spaces.