New SC measles case reported in county outside Upstate for 1st time. Here are the details

A Sumter resident has been diagnosed with measles, but South Carolina Department of Public Health doctors do not know yet whether the case is related to the hundreds of cases reported in Spartanburg County.

The Health Department also reported Tuesday that the person with measles frequented several Sumter businesses.

• Mariachis Mexican Restaurant at 1072 Broad Street, Sumter S.C. on Friday, Jan. 23 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
• Food Lion at 5700 Broad Street Ext., Sumter, S.C. on Saturday, Jan. 24 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Walmart Neighborhood Market at 343 Pinewood Road, Sumter, S.C. on Sunday, Jan. 25 from 9 a.m. to 1p.m.

In all, 876 cases of measles have been reported in South Carolina since the outbreak began last fall, 29 new cases since Friday. This is the first case of measles reported in a county outside the Upstate since the outbreak began.

“People who were exposed at Mariachis Mexican Restaurant, Food Lion, and Walmart Neighborhood Market, especially those without immunity through vaccination or previous disease, should monitor for symptoms through Feb. 13, Feb. 14, and Feb. 15, respectively,” the Health Department said in a news release Tuesday.

Measles symptoms typically begin 7-12 days (but can occur up to 21 days) after exposure, and include cough, runny nose, and red watery eyes, and fever followed by a rash two to three days later that starts on the face then spreads to the rest of the body.

Outbreak Data Points Age breakdown of 876 cases: Under 5: 233 5-17: 555 18+: 71 Unknown: 17

Vaccination status: 800 unvaccinated, 16 partially vaccinated with one of the recommended two-dose MMR sequence, 22 vaccinated, and 38 unknown.

This story was originally published February 3, 2026 at 1:41 PM.