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South Carolina reports 88 new measles cases as outbreak worsens
State health officials confirmed 88 additional measles infections since last Friday, pushing the total to 646 cases since October. The surge threatens the U.S. measles elimination status, first declared in 2000.
Quarantines affect over 500 people across 15 schools
More than 500 individuals, including students, remain in quarantine after exposure to the virus. The outbreak has spread to two universities-Clemson and Anderson-where dozens of students are isolated.
Spartanburg County at the epicenter
The northwestern town of Spartanburg, home to 39,000 residents, has become the focal point of the outbreak. Vaccination rates among school-aged children in the county stand at 90%, below the 95% threshold needed for herd immunity.
Measles risks and complications
Measles spreads through airborne transmission and can infect up to 90% of unvaccinated individuals exposed. While no specific treatment exists, complications include pneumonia and brain swelling, which can be fatal.
"Measles is one of the most contagious diseases globally, and its resurgence poses a serious public health challenge," state health officials said.
National context: Worst outbreaks in decades
The past year has seen the largest measles outbreaks in the U.S. in decades, with over 2,000 cases reported nationwide. Texas recorded three deaths in 2025, while Utah and Arizona have also faced significant outbreaks.
Vaccine skepticism fuels resurgence
The rise in cases coincides with messaging from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has downplayed the severity of measles and questioned vaccine safety. While Kennedy has occasionally endorsed the MMR vaccine, he has also promoted unproven alternative treatments and repeated unsubstantiated claims about its risks.
Two doses of the measles vaccine are 97% effective in preventing infection and critical for achieving herd immunity.
Outlook and response
Health authorities continue to monitor the outbreak, urging vaccination and public awareness to curb further spread. Officials warn that without intervention, the U.S. could lose its measles elimination status for the first time in over two decades.
