News Summary
Spartanburg County is facing a measles outbreak, affecting over 150 unvaccinated students who are now under mandatory quarantine. Confirmed cases have been reported at local schools, prompting health officials to respond with vaccination initiatives. This outbreak is part of a worrying trend in South Carolina, with multiple confirmed cases linked back to a broader national increase in measles incidences, raising concerns about public health and vaccination coverage in the community.
Spartanburg County is experiencing a significant measles outbreak, leading to over 150 unvaccinated students being placed under a mandatory 21-day quarantine. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) confirmed cases of measles at Global Academy of South Carolina and Fairforest Elementary School, marking a troubling development as the state faces a notable increase in measles cases.
This outbreak has contributed to South Carolina’s total of 16 confirmed measles cases reported this year, with seven of these cases directly linked to the Spartanburg County incident that began on September 25. Currently, 139 students from the affected schools are quarantined due to having been exposed to the virus without proper vaccinations.
The situation in South Carolina reflects a broader national trend of increasing measles cases. In 2025, the United States reported more than 1,500 cases of measles, the highest number since the disease was declared eliminated 25 years ago. Prior to the Spartanburg outbreak, Texas experienced the largest measles outbreak in the summer, with over 760 cases reported, which was declared over in mid-August.
Measles is known to be highly contagious, transmitted through respiratory droplets generated when an infected individual coughs or sneezes. Individuals who are unvaccinated are particularly vulnerable to contracting the virus. The measles vaccination is proven to be highly effective, with two doses providing approximately 97% protection against the disease.
In light of the ongoing outbreak, the South Carolina Department of Public Health plans to deploy a mobile vaccination unit in Spartanburg County to offer free measles-mumps-rubella vaccinations to the public. This initiative aims to raise vaccination rates within the community and help prevent further outbreaks of this dangerous virus.
Measles cases typically manifest 1-2 weeks after exposure, accompanied by symptoms such as high fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes, which eventually lead to a characteristic rash. Health officials have expressed concern that there may be “unrecognized community transmission” of measles that could extend beyond the immediate areas of the schools and throughout the county.
Additionally, exposures related to this outbreak have been identified at Crunch Fitness gym in Greenville, where individuals may also have been exposed to the virus. Fairforest Elementary School has an immunization rate of 85%, while Global Academy has alarmingly low vaccination coverage, with only 17% of students vaccinated against measles.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasizes the significant risks associated with measles, including hospitalization and serious complications like pneumonia and encephalitis. Recently, there were reports of three deaths linked to the Texas outbreak, the first measles-related deaths of an unvaccinated child in the past decade.
To combat the outbreak effectively, health officials are urging parents and guardians to ensure that their children receive the measles vaccination. An increase in community vaccination rates will be crucial in preventing future outbreaks and safeguarding public health as South Carolina continues to deal with the ongoing measles crisis.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Measles Outbreak in South Carolina Raises Concerns
Rise of Measles Cases in South Carolina Sparks Urgency
Measles Outbreak Triggers Quarantine in South Carolina
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
Additional Resources
- USA Today: South Carolina Measles Outbreak
- Wikipedia: Measles
- WYFF News 4: South Carolina Measles Outbreak
- Google Search: Measles Outbreak South Carolina
- Fox Carolina: Mobile Measles Vaccine Unit
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Measles
- ABC News: Unvaccinated Students Quarantined
- Google News: Measles South Carolina
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.
