The outbreak, which had seven confirmed cases in Spartanburg since September 25, has now potentially spread to Greenville, where an eighth case was identified last week. Transmission in Spartanburg was linked to two schools, Fairforest Elementary and Global Academy, resulting in at least 153 unvaccinated children being put under a mandatory 21-day quarantine. This quarantine—equal to the maximum incubation period for the virus—bars them from attending school.
The new case in Greenville confirms officials' fears of active, unrecognized community transmission of the virus throughout the Upstate region, though the source of this particular infection is still unknown. The South Carolina Department of Public Health is emphasizing the critical need for vaccination, stating, "What this case tells us is that there is active, unrecognized community transmission of measles occurring in the Upstate [northern region of South Carolina], which makes it vital to ensure that the public have received their measles vaccinations."
Low Vaccination Rates Fueling Spread
The highly effective MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine provides about 97 percent lifelong protection after two recommended doses. Without this protection, measles is extremely contagious, infecting 90 percent of unvaccinated people who are exposed. It spreads easily through the air, lingering in a room's airspace for up to two hours after an infected person has left.
Experts say a community needs a 95 percent vaccination rate to achieve the herd immunity required to prevent widespread transmission. However, both outbreak counties fall short of this goal:
- Spartanburg's immunization rate is 90 percent.
- Greenville's rate is 92.4 percent.
These low rates are compounded by increasing religious exemptions. Spartanburg has the state's highest rate of religious exemptions at 8.2 percent, which puts its maximum possible vaccine coverage at just 91.8 percent. Greenville's exemption rate is 5.3 percent.
Part of a National Trend
South Carolina's struggles reflect a national trend. Over the past five years, the state's vaccination rates have slipped from 95 percent to 93.7 percent, while religious exemptions have risen—mirroring a nationwide increase in anti-vaccine rhetoric and misinformation.
The latest data shows that US kindergartners' MMR coverage was only 92.5 percent in the 2024–2025 school year, down from 95.2 percent in 2019–2020. Non-medical exemptions are at an all-time high of 3.4 percent.
This decline comes as the US is experiencing its highest measles case count in 33 years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed 1,563 cases across 41 states this year, mostly linked to 44 identified outbreaks. The largest outbreak is in Texas, with 803 reported cases. Tragically, three people, including two previously healthy school-age children, have died from measles in the US this year.
Disclaimer: This content is published only for health awareness and informational purposes. It's not a substitute for your professional medical advice. You must consult a doctor/healthcare professional regarding your specific health concerns.
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