Measles vaccinations in SC up ‘dramatically,’ state expert says. Here’s the latest on the outbreak

South Carolina Department of Health’s epidemiologist Dr. Linda Bell had this description of the current measles outbreak — “This is not normal.”

It’s not seasonal.

It’s too early to say if the spread is slowing down, she said during the department’s weekly media briefing.

In all 933 measles cases have been reported as of Tuesday, 95 % of them in people who are unvaccinated and most of them in Spartanburg County.

That total does not include a case at Furman University, which school officials reported in a news release Tuesday. Bell said that case has not officially been reported to the state health department.

Bell said the last case of measles in South Carolina before this outbreak was 2016, which did not spread beyond family members. Measles was considered eliminated decades ago as a result of the MMMR vaccine.

Bell said the sources of the recently reported cases in Lancaster and Sumter are unknown.

“The number of public exposure sites indicates that measles is circulating in the community, increasing the risk of exposure and the risk of infection for those who are not immune due to vaccination or natural infection,” a health department news release said.

Someone with measles was at a Target in Taylors on Jan. 30, Rick Erwins Level 10 Restaurant in Spartanburg, Boost Mobile in Spartanburg and the Social Security Office in Spartanburg, all on Jan. 29.

Also, exposures could have taken place in Sumter Jan. 24 and 25 at Walmart Neighborhood Market, Food Lion and Mariachis Restaurant.

Bell on Wednesday talked about long-term complications of measles, including a rare fatal disease SSPE that can occur seven to 10 years after contracting the virus and impairment of the immune system.

She said the number of people getting vaccines increased dramatically in January — 72% statewide and 162% in Spartanburg County.

Furman issued a news release Tuesday saying someone on campus had been diagnosed with measles and another was a suspected case. They did not say if the person was a staff member or student. The Earle Student Health Center said over 99% of Furman students have provided proof of immunity.

Furman has just over 2,550 students.

“At this time, there is no indication of widespread exposure,” the school said in a news release.

Measles symptoms typically begin after 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.

Public Health reported: Ages

Under 5: 245 5-17: 594 18+: 80 Unknown: 14

Vaccination status: 859 unvaccinated, 20 partially vaccinated with one of the recommended two-dose MMR sequence, 25 vaccinated, and 29 unknown.

This story was originally published February 11, 2026 at 2:27 PM.