Two major measles outbreaks are unfolding simultaneously across Pennsylvania and South Carolina, with cases now exceeding 1,400 combined. Pennsylvania has confirmed 460 measles cases across 31 counties, while South Carolina's Upstate outbreak has reached 973 cases, prompting urgent vaccination campaigns and public exposure alerts in both states.

What Is Driving These Measles Outbreaks?

Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. The virus remains infectious in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours after the person leaves an area, making it particularly dangerous in schools, community centers, and public spaces. The virus can cause serious short- and long-term health complications, including pneumonia and brain swelling, with nearly 20 percent of people who contract measles requiring hospitalization.

In South Carolina, the outbreak has disproportionately affected children. Of the 973 cases, 254 were in children under 5 years old, and 625 were in school-age children between 5 and 17 years old. The outbreak has also spread to multiple public locations, prompting health officials to identify specific exposure sites and times so residents can monitor for symptoms.

How Serious Are These Outbreaks?

The severity of these outbreaks is underscored by hospitalizations and deaths. Pennsylvania has reported 83 total hospitalizations and 2 measles-associated deaths so far in 2026. While death from measles is rare, occurring in one to three patients per 1,000 cases, the virus poses significant risks to vulnerable populations, particularly young children and unvaccinated individuals.

In South Carolina, vaccination status data reveals a troubling pattern: of the 973 cases, 906 individuals were unvaccinated, 20 were partially vaccinated with only one dose of the recommended two-dose series, and 26 had received the full two-dose vaccination. This data highlights the critical role vaccination plays in preventing measles transmission.

How to Protect Yourself and Your Family From Measles

• Get Fully Vaccinated: The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is given in a two-dose series and provides 97 percent protection against measles after both doses are completed. This is the most effective defense against the virus.
• Know Where to Access Vaccines: The MMR vaccine is available through health care providers, county or municipal health departments, state health centers, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), and Vaccines for Children (VFC) programs.
• Monitor for Symptoms After Exposure: If you have been exposed to measles, watch for fever, cough, runny nose, red and watery eyes (conjunctivitis), followed by a rash that starts on the head and spreads downward. Symptom monitoring windows vary depending on the exposure location and date.
• Seek Immediate Medical Care if Symptomatic: Contact a health care provider immediately if you develop measles symptoms, as early identification helps prevent further transmission to vulnerable populations.

Both Pennsylvania and South Carolina health departments are actively responding to the outbreaks. Pennsylvania's Department of Health is providing real-time data through a public dashboard at pa.gov/measles to help residents and health care providers track cases, hospitalizations, deaths, and community transmission. South Carolina's Department of Public Health has identified multiple public exposure locations with specific dates and times, allowing residents to determine if they were present during infectious periods.

South Carolina has also deployed its Mobile Health Unit to offer free MMR vaccination to the public. The mobile unit was scheduled to visit Grace Community Church in Spartanburg to provide vaccines at no cost.

What Should You Do If You've Been Exposed?

Health officials have identified specific locations and times where measles exposure occurred in South Carolina. These include Spartanburg Community College, Costco in Spartanburg, Tabernacle of Salvation Slavic Church, and Westgate Baptist Church. People exposed at these locations during the specified times should monitor for symptoms through designated dates, with the latest monitoring period extending to March 15 for those in quarantine.

The key message from both state health departments is clear: vaccination is the most effective way to prevent measles and stop these outbreaks. With the MMR vaccine offering 97 percent protection after two doses, getting vaccinated protects not only individuals but also vulnerable populations who cannot be vaccinated, such as infants and immunocompromised people.