Home / Health / Measles Spreads Beyond Schools: College Campuses Hit
Measles Spreads Beyond Schools: College Campuses Hit
4 Feb
Summary
- Measles cases confirmed at Ave Maria University in Florida.
- Over 876 total cases reported in South Carolina, with many in quarantine.
- Measles outbreaks are increasing across at least 17 states this year.
Measles cases are now spreading to college campuses across the United States, moving beyond their typical demographic of school-aged children. Ave Maria University in Florida has reported at least 12 positive cases, with three individuals hospitalized. This follows similar recent confirmations at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Clemson University in South Carolina. The virus's high contagion rate means that even a few cases can escalate into a significant outbreak.
So far in 2026, at least 17 states have reported measles cases, highlighting a concerning trend of increasing outbreaks. South Carolina, in particular, is experiencing its largest outbreak since measles was eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, with 876 total cases and 354 individuals currently in quarantine. Outbreaks in Utah and Arizona have also collectively sickened over 505 people. Health officials are also monitoring potential exposures in California following a measles case at Disneyland in late January.
About 1 in 10 measles infections require hospitalization, and tragically, three people in the U.S. died from the virus last year. State health departments are actively engaged in contact tracing and response efforts to manage these escalating outbreaks.
