Columbia, South Carolina — An outbreak of measles is raising concerns among health officials as cases continue to surge in South Carolina and neighboring states. With the potential for serious complications, authorities emphasize the importance of vaccination to control the spread of this highly contagious virus.
Typically, symptoms appear between seven and 14 days following exposure, although the onset can take as long as 21 days. The disease is characterized by a high fever and a distinctive rash that typically begins on the head and extends downward across the body. Individuals infected with the virus can transmit it to others four days prior to the rash’s appearance and up to four days after. Serious complications may include ear infections, diarrhea, pneumonia, and encephalitis, with mortality rates reaching up to three per 1,000 children affected. A rare but severe condition known as subacute sclerosing panencephalitis can develop years later in some cases.
The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is highly effective, offering approximately 97 percent protection against the disease following two doses. Data indicates that 99 percent of the recent cases in South Carolina involve individuals who are unvaccinated, under-vaccinated, or have unclear vaccination histories, with only two confirmed cases occurring among vaccinated individuals.
As of early January, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported three confirmed measles cases for the year, including two in South Carolina and one in North Carolina linked to the outbreak. Those numbers have escalated rapidly, with South Carolina reporting 125 cases just nine days into the new year. North Carolina has documented an additional three cases stemming from the South Carolina situation, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the U.S. to at least 131.
The rise in measles cases follows a troubling trend seen in previous years. In 2025, the United States experienced 2,144 confirmed cases, the highest figures recorded since 1991, along with three fatalities, including two otherwise healthy children. This spike has put the country’s previously declared elimination status for measles at risk. In 2000, the U.S. declared the disease eliminated due to its lack of continuous transmission, but current outbreaks underscore the challenges that remain.
Health authorities are urging communities to prioritize vaccinations as a fundamental measure in preventing further infections. The implications of increasing measles cases are significant, not just for individual health but for public health as a whole. Continued education and outreach about the efficacy of vaccines could play a critical role in controlling this resurgence of measles in South Carolina and beyond.