News Summary
A child in Greenville County has been confirmed as the latest case of measles, bringing South Carolina’s total to 11 cases amid an outbreak affecting Spartanburg County. Health officials are urging vaccinations as more than 150 unvaccinated students face quarantine due to potential exposure. The outbreak raises concerns over herd immunity as local vaccination rates remain below the necessary threshold. Health authorities are deploying mobile vaccination units to encourage community participation in vaccination efforts.
Greenville, South Carolina – A child from Greenville County has been confirmed as the latest case of measles in South Carolina, as announced on October 9, 2025. This incident raises the state’s total measles cases to 11, with a significant number of these cases reported in Spartanburg County.
The link between the Greenville case and the ongoing outbreak affecting two elementary schools in Spartanburg County remains uncertain. Currently, eight of the confirmed cases originate from Spartanburg County, primarily impacting unvaccinated individuals. Dr. Linda Bell, the state epidemiologist, has indicated that all identified cases are among those who have not received vaccinations.
In response to the outbreak, over 150 unvaccinated students from Global Academy and Fairforest Elementary Schools have been placed in quarantine due to potential exposure to the measles virus. These students will not be allowed to participate in in-person classes for a duration of three weeks, concluding on October 22, 2025.
The measles virus is known for its high contagion rate, capable of infecting 18-20 additional individuals from a single case. Approximately 90% of unvaccinated people who come into close contact with an infected person are expected to contract the virus. To address the rising concerns, local health authorities are deploying mobile vaccination units to enhance immunization rates. They are urging community members who have not yet been vaccinated to take advantage of no-cost vaccination services.
The current vaccination rates show that Spartanburg County has a measles vaccination coverage of 90%, while Greenville County has a rate of 90.5%. Both figures fall short of the 95% threshold necessary to achieve herd immunity within the population.
Symptoms of measles typically manifest 7-14 days following exposure, beginning with fever and rash. Serious complications can arise from the disease, particularly affecting young children, which could lead to conditions such as pneumonia and encephalitis, emphasizing the importance of vaccination.
In light of the outbreak, public health officials have distributed alerts to school nurses and healthcare providers, detailing how to access testing for measles infections. South Carolina’s Department of Public Health has confirmed ongoing community transmission of the virus, noting that some cases have no identifiable source of infection.
There is considerable concern among health officials that if cases continue to rise beyond January 2026, it could jeopardize the United States’ status of having eliminated measles. The situation highlights the critical need for heightened awareness and urgency in vaccination efforts across the affected communities.
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Additional Resources
- NBC News: Measles Students Quarantined
- Greenville Online: Measles Cases in Spartanburg County
- WYFF4: South Carolina Measles Outbreak
- Outbreak News Today: South Carolina Measles Update
- ABC Columbia: 11th Measles Case in Greenville County
- Wikipedia: Measles
- Google Search: Measles Outbreak South Carolina
- Google Scholar: Measles
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Measles
- 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.
