Clemson University Confirms Measles Case Amid Surge

Measles has now reached Clemson University, with state health officials confirming a case affiliated with the institution. The affected individual has been isolated, and contact tracing is underway to manage potential exposures and prevent further transmission on the approximately 30,000-student campus. This development occurs as South Carolina grapples with a rapid escalation of the measles outbreak.

The state's Department of Public Health reported a total of 558 measles cases since the outbreak began last autumn. In the past week alone, over 200 new cases were diagnosed, doubling the previous week's count. Experts warn that the situation is worsening, with an estimated 200 individuals currently considered actively infected, and the virus's ability to spread before symptom onset complicates containment efforts.

Authorities note that the majority of measles patients in South Carolina are children and teenagers, with most of them being unvaccinated. Measles, a highly contagious disease characterized by a rash, can lead to severe complications and even death, as evidenced by 2,242 reported cases and three fatalities nationwide in the previous year. Public health officials urge vaccination to protect vulnerable populations.