SC measles outbreak cases climb again. Here are the new places where people have been exposed

More than 210 measles cases have been reported in South Carolina, the South Carolina Department of Public Health reported Tuesday.

Since Friday, there have been an additional 26 new cases.

There have been no reported deaths from measles exposure, but the DPH has confirmed that four people required hospitalization from the disease.

Based on the new cases, the DPH has identified public exposures at two schools: Sugar Ridge Elementary and Boiling Springs Elementary and began notifying potentially exposed students, faculty and staff on Dec. 31.

Churches where exposures occurred include Tabernacle of Salvation Church, Slavic Pentecostal Church of Spartanburg, Unitarian Universalist Church of Spartanburg, and Ark of Salvation Church.

The majority of the new cases were associated with exposures in known households and previously reported school exposures. Four cases resulted from an exposure at church. Two cases are still being investigated. There is only one case where the source of exposure is unknown.

Nearly all cases involved minors. There were 194 exposed individuals under 18 years old. There were only 17 cases with exposed individuals over 18 years old.

Measles exposure affected the unvaccinated by a large number. Unvaccinated cases totaled to 196. One individual is known to be fully vaccinated and four were partially vaccinated. The DPH is investigating six more individuals for their vaccination status and there are four individuals with unknown status.

How to reduce SC measles outbreak

Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself against measles and stop its outbreak, according to the DPH. Vaccinations are available at many primary care providers offices and pharmacies, as well as DPH Health Departments.

The DPH urges those who believe they have been exposed to measles to notify a health care provider before seeking care to allow arrangements to be made in clinical settings to protect others as clinical sites have also been settings of public exposures.

To help stop the spread of measles, the DPH said it is very important for those with mild illness or who are in quarantine to stay home to protect others.

To stay up-to-date on the latest measles outbreak information, visit the Department of Public Health’s webpage.

This story was originally published January 6, 2026 at 2:21 PM.