News Summary
Measles cases in South Carolina have surged to 16, with 139 unvaccinated students under quarantine after exposure at local schools. Health officials stress the importance of vaccinations as the state experiences active community transmission. Despite free vaccination efforts, vaccination rates have declined, raising concerns about potential outbreaks. The necessity for achieving high vaccination coverage is critical to safeguard public health, as symptoms of measles can lead to serious complications and hospitalization.
Spartanburg, South Carolina – The number of measles cases in South Carolina has risen to 16, with 139 unvaccinated students currently under quarantine after being exposed to the virus at local schools. This critical public health situation follows the confirmation of five new cases since July 2025, prompting health officials to stress the urgent need for vaccinations.
The exposure primarily occurred at Global Academy and Fairforest Elementary School in Spartanburg County. Initially, 153 students were quarantined; however, further investigations have allowed some to return to school safely. The South Carolina Department of Public Health has identified a Crunch Fitness location in Greenville as a point of exposure for a child in September, contributing to the current outbreak.
Local health authorities have indicated that there is “active, unrecognized community transmission” of measles in the Upstate region. The highly contagious nature of measles allows the virus to linger in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves, making vaccination critical to prevent further spread.
The measles vaccine, which is part of the MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccination, is recognized as safe and effective in protecting against measles. Public health officials emphasize the importance of achieving high vaccination coverage in order to safeguard community health. Dr. Linda Bell of the South Carolina health department has expressed concern over the declining vaccination rates that have allowed this outbreak to occur.
The outbreak in South Carolina is reflective of a broader national trend, with more than 1,500 measles cases reported across the United States in 2025. States like Minnesota have also seen increases, with two new cases reported this week, totaling 20 cases for the year, primarily among unvaccinated children. A concerning decline in national vaccination rates has been noted, with only 92.7% of kindergarteners receiving the measles vaccination in the 2023-2024 school year, down from previous years. The CDC warns that a critical safety threshold of 95% vaccination coverage is necessary to effectively protect communities from outbreaks.
In Spartanburg County specifically, the vaccination rate hovers around 90%, indicating a vulnerability to the spread of measles. This outbreak’s implications are serious, as approximately 1 in 5 measles cases can result in hospitalization. Symptoms typically include high fever, cough, runny nose, and a distinctive rash that appears 3-5 days after other symptoms manifest.
To combat this outbreak, the South Carolina health department will be offering free vaccinations to the public. Health officials are on high alert and concerned about the declining rates of vaccination and the potential for a broader outbreak if community immunity continues to weaken.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Additional Resources
- USA Today: South Carolina Measles Outbreak
- Wikipedia: Measles
- Fox Carolina: Measles Outbreak Grows
- Google Search: South Carolina Measles Outbreak
- CNN: Measles Outbreaks in Multiple States
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Measles
- NBC News: Measles Students Quarantined
- Google News: Measles Outbreak South Carolina
- ABC News: Unvaccinated Students Quarantined
- Google Scholar: Measles Outbreak
- BBC News: Measles Cases Increase
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.
