News Summary
A measles outbreak in upstate South Carolina has resulted in the quarantine of 153 unvaccinated children for three weeks. Confirmed cases in Greenville County and Spartanburg County highlight the risks associated with declining vaccination rates. In Minnesota, similar quarantines have affected 118 students who were potentially exposed. Public health officials express concerns over ongoing community transmission and strained health departments as outbreaks raise awareness about vaccine hesitancy and misinformation surrounding immunizations.
Greenville, South Carolina
A measles outbreak in upstate South Carolina has led to the quarantine of 153 unvaccinated children for at least 21 days. The South Carolina Department of Public Health confirmed a case in Greenville County, which is separate from seven other confirmed cases in nearby Spartanburg County.
In addition to the situation in South Carolina, 118 students in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area of Minnesota are also under quarantine due to potential exposure to the virus. These quarantine measures require affected students to engage in three weeks of remote learning, while their parents are advised to monitor for symptoms such as fever and rash.
Infectious disease experts express that such quarantines may become a more frequent occurrence as vaccination rates continue to decline. Dr. Linda Bell, South Carolina’s state epidemiologist, has noted ongoing, unrecognized community transmission of measles, which is a cause for concern.
Details and Context of the Outbreaks
The South Carolina outbreak is specifically linked to two educational institutions: an elementary school and a charter school serving grades K-12. Following public health protocols, unvaccinated students who were exposed to the virus have been excluded from school for three weeks. Spartanburg County currently has a vaccination rate for the MMR vaccine that stands at only 90%, which is below the 95% threshold required for herd immunity.
In Minnesota, reports indicate that there have been 20 confirmed measles cases this year alone. Ongoing outbreaks are further exacerbated by another significant multistate outbreak near the Arizona-Utah border, where at least 103 individuals have been diagnosed. Utah health authorities have confirmed an additional 14 cases related to the same outbreak.
Since August, the United States has experienced an average of 27 new measles cases reported weekly, tallying up to 1,563 cases in 2025. This number represents the highest annual total since measles was declared eliminated in the country 25 years ago. Public health officials are increasingly concerned that the combination of ongoing outbreaks and low vaccination rates might reverse the country’s hard-won status of measles elimination.
The Impact on Public Health
Experts suggest that the troublesome increase in measles cases is closely tied to declining vaccination rates. Over three-quarters of U.S. counties have seen a decrease in childhood vaccination rates since 2019. Among states with available data, 67% report insufficient MMR vaccine coverage necessary for achieving herd immunity.
The ramifications of these outbreaks extend beyond individual cases, placing additional burdens on local health departments that are already strained. A notable measles case in South Carolina was associated with a local gym, leading health officials to advise individuals who were present at the gym on a specific date to seek medical evaluation if they had any exposure.
The current measles outbreaks highlight significant issues surrounding vaccine hesitancy, misinformation, and a declining trust in federal health leadership regarding vaccination policies. Public health officials continue to advocate for increased awareness of vaccination benefits to combat this trend and protect public health.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Measles Outbreak Confirmed in Spartanburg, South Carolina
Spartanburg County Schoolchildren Quarantined Amid Measles Outbreak
Measles Outbreak in Spartanburg County Raises Concerns
Measles Outbreak Triggers Quarantine for Spartanburg Students
Measles Outbreak in Spartanburg County Schools
Child Confirmed with Measles in Greenville County
Measles Outbreak in Spartanburg County Linked to Local Schools
Measles Outbreak in Spartanburg County Raises Concerns
Spartanburg County Experiences Measles Outbreak Linked to Schools
Ongoing Measles Outbreak in Spartanburg County
Additional Resources
- WYFF4: South Carolina Measles Outbreak
- Fox Carolina: Measles Outbreak Grows
- CNN: Measles Outbreaks
- ABC News: 150 Unvaccinated Students Quarantine
- BBC: Public Health Concerns Over Measles
- Wikipedia: Measles
Author: STAFF HERE SPARTANBURG
The SPARTANBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESpartanburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Spartanburg, Spartanburg County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Spartanburg International Festival, Spartanburg ArtWalk, and motorsport events at Spartanburg Speedway. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce and the Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System Foundation, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and textiles that power the local economy such as BMW Manufacturing and Milliken & Company. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
