South Carolina reports 99 new measles cases


At least 99 new measles cases are being reported in South Carolina amid the state’s outbreak.

This brings the total number of cases in the state to 310. There are currently 200 people in quarantine, according to health officials.

The outbreak has been ongoing as state health officials continue to push for vaccinations. The majority of cases are located around Spartanburg County.

“The number of those in quarantine does not reflect the number actually exposed,” Dr. Linda Bell, the state epidemiologist, said in a press releases. “An increasing number of public exposure sites are being identified with likely hundreds more people exposed who are not aware they should be in quarantine if they are not immune to measles. Previous measles transmission studies have shown that one measles case can result in up to 20 new infections among unvaccinated contacts.”

South Carolina’s department of public health said it sent a statewide health alert on Jan. 7, “advising health care providers and facilities of the importance of heightened awareness for measles and recommended measures for the use of masks and rapid isolation of suspect measles cases to protect people in health care settings from exposures.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention currently recommends that people receive two doses of the MMR vaccine, the first at ages 12 to 15 months and the second between 4 and 6 years old. One dose is 93% effective, and two doses are 97% effective against measles, the CDC says.

However, CDC data shows vaccination rates have been lagging in recent years. During the 2024-2025 school year, 92.5% of kindergartners received the MMR vaccine, according to data. This is lower than the 92.7% seen the previous school year and the 95.2% seen in the 2019-2020 school year, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

ABC News’ Mary Kekatos contributed reporting.



Source link

  • Related Posts

    Vance Heads to New Talks With Iran. At Stake: Peace and His Own Standing.

    The vice president is again center stage, after abruptly leaving the first round of high-level Iranian peace talks without an agreement. Source link

    What to know as war with Iran stretches into week 8

    The United States, Israel and Iran are now in their eighth week of conflict.  The fragile, two-week ceasefire, which is set to expire on Wednesday unless the U.S. and Iran reach a nuclear deal before then or…

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    You Missed

    Vance Heads to New Talks With Iran. At Stake: Peace and His Own Standing.

    Chatbots often offer ‘problematic’ cancer advice, study finds

    Chatbots often offer ‘problematic’ cancer advice, study finds

    Your Ears Know What’s Good. Vote for Your Favorite Headphones and Earbuds of 2026

    Your Ears Know What’s Good. Vote for Your Favorite Headphones and Earbuds of 2026

    Canada, Mercosur aiming to sign free trade deal this year: Brazilian official

    Canada, Mercosur aiming to sign free trade deal this year: Brazilian official

    Iran War Is Forcing a Reckoning in Colombia on Energy Demand

    Myanmar military regime widens sanitary towel ban, claiming rebels use them for first aid | Global development

    Myanmar military regime widens sanitary towel ban, claiming rebels use them for first aid | Global development