Measles continues to spread in the Upstate, new public health report shows

Three new cases of the measles have been reported in Spartanburg County since Tuesday, bringing the total for the year to 19.

Three cases are considered an outbreak.

All the new cases were close contacts to people who had measles and had been quarantining at home, according to the South Carolina Department of Public Health.

Free measles vaccines offered

“Because they were quarantining before they became infectious, no additional exposures have occurred with these new cases,” the health department said.

The department’s Mobile Health Unit will be in Spartanburg County to provide free MMR vaccines over the next week.

They are:

Monday, Oct. 20: 2-6 p.m. at Boiling Springs Library, 871 Double Bridge Rd., Boiling Springs, S.C. 29316

Wednesday, Oct. 22: 2-6 p.m. at Wellford Baptist Church, 235 Syphrit Rd., Wellford, S.C. 29385

Thursday, Oct. 23: 2-6 p.m. at Dr. T. K. Gregg Community Center, 650 Howard St., Spartanburg, S.C. 29303

How does measles spread?

The virus is transmitted through contact with an infected person, touching something they have touched and through the air, which can remain contaminated for up to two hours after someone with measles has left the area, Dr. Linda Bell, the state epidemiologist said.

South Carolina’s vaccination rate has fallen to 90% — 95% is optimal to ensure herd immunity. Such immunity is especially important because some people cannot be vaccinated, including those who are allergic or pregnant women.

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

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.

Two Spartanburg County schools have seen cases of measles — Global Academy of South Carolina, a public charter school and Fairforest Elementary, in Spartanburg School District 6. Crunch Fitness in Greenville was also identified as a place where someone with measles visited.

DPH has updated its measles outbreak page to show the new cases.

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

This story was originally published October 17, 2025 at 1:24 PM.