At least 153 unvaccinated students in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, have been ordered to quarantine for 21 days after they were exposed to the measles virus at two schools, state health officials said. South Carolina has confirmed its 11th measles case this year — and its eighth since Sept. 25 — amid signs of active community transmission.
The South Carolina Department of Public Health urged families to verify their MMR vaccination status. Officials said the virus can linger in the air for up to two hours and spreads rapidly among the unvaccinated.
Students who were exposed but lack immunity must remain home for 21 days, the length of the incubation period, to prevent further spread, DPH said. Fairforest Elementary and Global Academy have moved unvaccinated students to remote learning.
The situation in South Carolina mirrors a national rise in cases. According to the most recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data, the U.S. has confirmed at least 1,563 measles infections and 44 outbreaks this year, the highest number of cases since 1992.
Unbiased. Straight Facts.TM
Measles is highly contagious. Without protection, 9 out of 10 people who are exposed will contract the infection.
Outbreak data
South Carolina public health officials declared an official measles outbreak in the Upstate region on Oct. 2 after confirming three or more linked cases. They said all of South Carolina’s 11 cases involve unvaccinated individuals. Some infections have no identified source.
State epidemiologist Linda Bell suggests “unrecognized community transmission” is occurring, according to the South Carolina Daily Gazette.
“Compliance is very important with supporting our prevention of ongoing spread in the community,” Bell said. “We really rely on these families to comply with our guidance to make sure that even if they’re excluded from school, they’re not out and about in the community.”
The CDC says that the MMR vaccine is safe and effective, with two doses approximately 97% effective in preventing measles, and one dose approximately 93% effective.
How low vaccination rates fueled spread
South Carolina requires all students to be vaccinated before enrolling in school. However, the state allows religious and medical exemptions.
The Daily Gazette reports that Spartanburg County has one of South Carolina’s lowest immunization rates, with fewer than 90% of students submitting complete vaccination forms — a rate below the 95% threshold needed for community protection. Statewide religious exemptions for school vaccinations have climbed to 3.3%, up from less than 1% a decade ago.
DPH said it will post twice-weekly outbreak updates as contact tracing and quarantines continue. Health officials urged residents to confirm their vaccination status, warning that the virus’s spread “could worsen” in communities where vaccination rates remain low.
