One South Carolina county is driving the biggest measles outbreak in a generation

847 cases confirmed since October

South Carolina is now home to the largest U.S. measles outbreak since the disease was declared eliminated in 2000.

Health officials have confirmed 847 cases as of late January 2026, with most centered in Spartanburg County. The first case appeared on October 2, 2025, and the virus has spread quickly ever since.

The outbreak has raised serious concerns among public health experts who worry about what comes next.

Outbreak growing faster than Texas

Last year’s Texas outbreak reached 762 cases over seven months and killed two children. South Carolina surpassed that number in roughly 16 weeks.

The speed of the spread has alarmed public health officials across the country.

While no deaths have been reported in South Carolina so far, the rapid growth shows how quickly measles can move through communities with low vaccination rates.

What measles elimination means

The U.S. declared measles eliminated in 2000, but that doesn’t mean zero cases. Elimination means the disease is no longer constantly present in the country.

Outbreaks can still happen when international travelers bring the virus back home.

When those travelers enter communities with low vaccination rates, the virus can spread fast and cause the kind of outbreak South Carolina is seeing now.

U.S. could lose elimination status

The Pan American Health Organization will meet on April 13, 2026, to review whether the U.S. should keep its measles elimination status.

Losing the designation would mark the first time that has happened.

Public health experts say it would be both a symbolic and practical setback, signaling to the world that the U.S. can no longer control a disease it once conquered.

CDC official downplays potential loss

CDC Principal Deputy Director Ralph Abraham addressed the upcoming review and said losing elimination status is “not really” significant. He emphasized “personal freedom” in vaccination decisions during his remarks.

His comments drew attention from public health experts, many of whom disagree with his assessment. The CDC has not changed its official recommendation that all children receive the measles vaccine.

2025 was worst year since 1991

The U. S.

recorded 2,267 measles cases in 2025, the highest annual total in more than 30 years. Cases popped up across multiple states throughout the year.

The number marks a sharp increase from recent years, when cases typically stayed in the dozens or low hundreds.

Health officials say declining vaccination rates in some communities have opened the door for the virus to spread.

Most cases among unvaccinated people

Unvaccinated people made up 93 percent of measles cases.

The measles vaccine is highly effective at preventing infection, and two doses of the MMR vaccine are about 97 percent effective. Vaccination rates have dropped in some communities over the past several years.

When enough people skip the shot, the virus can find new hosts and spread through schools, churches, and other gathering places.

Outbreak has spread beyond state lines

Health officials have confirmed cases linked to the South Carolina outbreak in both North Carolina and Washington state. The interstate spread raises concerns about a wider impact in the months ahead.

Contact tracing is ongoing in all affected areas as officials try to identify who may have been exposed. Each new state adds complexity to the public health response.

How measles spreads so fast

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases known to science.

It spreads through coughs and sneezes, and the virus can linger in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves a room.

People can spread the virus before they even know they’re sick, which makes it hard to contain. One infected person can pass it to nine out of ten unvaccinated people nearby.

Symptoms and serious risks

Measles starts with a high fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes. A rash typically appears a few days after the fever begins and spreads across the body.

The disease can lead to serious complications like pneumonia and brain swelling.

Young children and people with weakened immune systems face the highest risk of severe illness or death from the virus.

What health officials recommend

The CDC recommends two doses of the MMR vaccine for all children. The first dose should come at 12 to 15 months old, and the second at 4 to 6 years old.

Adults who aren’t sure whether they were vaccinated can get the shot now.

The vaccine is safe, widely available, and remains the best way to protect against measles infection.

What happens next

South Carolina health officials continue to monitor cases as the outbreak remains active. The potential for more cases exists as long as the virus circulates.

The PAHO decision on elimination status is expected after the April meeting.

Public health workers are focused on vaccination outreach in affected communities to slow the spread before more people get sick.

This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.

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