South Carolina’s measles outbreak slows, but officials fear a Spring Break surge
The most significant measles outbreak in the U.S. in 25 years centered in Upstate South Carolina is finally slowing, but the state’s top health official said they’re concerned about another surge of cases as Spring break approaches.
New cases ticked up gradually in the early weeks of the outbreak, which began with a confirmed case in late September. But by Christmas, cases had surged.
In the two weeks following Christmas the state reported nearly 200 new infections per week. In February cases slowed, with about 20 new cases per week. Today, in the 22nd week of the outbreak, that number hovers around 10 new cases per week, said state epidemiologist Dr. Linda Bell.
Bell said she is happy to see the rate of new cases dip, but that there are still risks.
“We have to be vigilant about the risk we could see another surge,” she said, raising a specific concern about Spring Break travel. Spring Break occurs in late March to mid-April, depending on the school district.
Bell attributed the significant slow-down in new cases to big increases in people getting the MMR vaccines, which protects against measles, mumps and rubella,
In January, there was a 72% increase statewide in MMR vaccinations over the same month last year, and a 162% increase in Spartanburg County, the epicenter of the outbreak, according to data from the South Carolina Department of Health.
The number of children under 4 years old getting those shots is up 71% from last January statewide. In the Upstate, that number has increased by 174% from last January to Jan. 2026
There have been 990 total confirmed measles cases in South Carolina since the outbreak began, with 933 of those cases in Spartanburg County. Of the 990 total cases, 923 have been among the unvaccinated.
As of Wednesday, 52 people were in quarantine and four people were in isolation.
