Will SC reach 1,000 measles cases? Here’s the public health director’s guess
Interim director of the Department of Public Health Ed Simmer said he’s optimistic South Carolina won’t eclipse 1,000 measles cases in the state’s current outbreak.
He said efforts to vaccinate people leaves him hopeful the state won’t reach the grim milestone, but acknowledged his staff may probably disagree with him. The outbreak has reached 993 cases.
“I think it’s possible we don’t get to 1,000 (cases), but we’re very close,” Simmer on Wednesday told a Senate Finance Committee panel overseeing his agency’s budget.
Simmer cites vaccination efforts and how the number of cases per week has dropped off. The outbreak has centered mostly in Spartanburg County where measles vaccine rates are the lowest.
“I am somewhat hopeful, but we’re still not where we need to be,” Simmer said. “If you ask me today, are we at risk of another outbreak? Yes, we absolutely are, but I think we’re in a better place than we were last October.”
Simmer made his comments ahead of the upcoming spring break, and specifically referenced being in touch with health care providers in Horry County.
“That’s an opportunity for more spread. In fact, I’ve talked with our hospitals and our health care partners in Horry County, which obviously is the center for spring break, (to) be vigilant, and they already are,” Simmer said.
