Measles outbreak spreads to new SC county, officials say. Here’s where to get a vaccine

A measles outbreak is occurring in Upstate South Carolina, including in two Spartanburg County schools, Dr. Linda Bell, state epidemiologist with the Department of Public Health, said in a news conference Thursday.

A new case in Greenville County was just reported Thursday. Until now, the outbreak had been centered on Spartanburg County.

Bell said further investigation needed to be done to know if the Greenville case was related to those in Spartanburg.

To date, 11 cases have been reported in the state this year. All those infected were not vaccinated, Bell said. Three or more cases of an infectious disease is considered an outbreak.

While the numbers are fairly low, DPH warns that measles is highly contagious. The virus is transmitted through the air, which can remain contaminated for up to 2 hours after someone with measles has left the area, Bell said.

Some cases “are travel-related exposures or close contacts of known cases. Other cases have no identified source, suggesting that measles is circulating in the community and could spread further,” the department said in a statement.

South Carolina’s vaccination rate has fallen to 90%, Bell said, adding that 95% is optimal.

She said 90% of unvaccinated people exposed to the virus will develop the disease, which is characterized initially by high fever, cough and runny nose before a red rash on the face occurs, usually within four days. The rash then spreads to the rest of the body.

“Someone can spread measles before they know they are infected,” DPH said.

The Spartanburg County schools are Global Academy of South Carolina, a public charter school, with one case and Fairforest Elementary, in Spartanburg School District 6 with three cases.

Students who have been exposed have been excluded from school, Bell said.

Spartanburg District 6 said in a statement all unvaccinated students have been excluded from in-person instruction through Oct. 22 and will be taught virtually.

Global Academy of South Carolina said it has contacted all families with children who were in close contact to the child who developed measles.

Bell said the state health department is considering setting up mobile vaccination sites. MMR vaccines are widely available through health department offices, medical facilities and pharmacies.

Bell said people who were exposed to the virus can receive a vaccination within 72 hours to prevent transmission.

She said one MMR dose offers 93% lifelong immunity and two doses 97%.

Those especially at risk for infection if exposed without vaccination are pregnant women, young children and people whose immune systems are compromised.

While not as effective as vaccination, handwashing, not touching the mouth and staying home can help prevent infection, Bell said.

DPH has created a measles outbreak page on its website, updated by noon on Tuesdays and Fridays.

For nationwide data see the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention webpage, which is updated weekly.

This story was originally published October 9, 2025 at 2:38 PM.