Home / Health / SC Measles Cases Surge Past Texas Outbreak
SC Measles Cases Surge Past Texas Outbreak
28 Jan
Summary
- South Carolina measles cases surpass 789, exceeding West Texas outbreak.
- Majority of cases in Spartanburg County are unvaccinated individuals.
- Nationwide, 93% of measles patients in 2025 were unvaccinated.
South Carolina is experiencing a significant measles outbreak, with confirmed cases now totaling at least 789. This figure surpasses the 2025 West Texas outbreak, which recorded 762 cases. The majority of infections are concentrated in Spartanburg County, with most affected individuals being unvaccinated or unaware of their vaccination status.
This situation is ongoing as health officials reported 89 new cases since last Friday, indicating the outbreak is not yet under control. Cases linked to South Carolina have been identified in California, North Carolina, and Washington, with probable cases in Ohio. North Carolina has reported 14 cases, some directly connected to the South Carolina outbreak.
Concerns are particularly high for areas with low vaccination rates. A private Christian school in Union County, North Carolina, is linked to an outbreak involving an unvaccinated child who attended while contagious. Experts warn that schools with low vaccination rates are susceptible to measles outbreaks due to its highly contagious nature.
At least 23 schools in South Carolina have students in quarantine. The U.S. faces the risk of losing its measles elimination status if the virus continues to circulate. Nationwide, 2025 saw 2,255 measles cases, the highest since 1991, with 416 cases confirmed in January alone. A significant 93% of these patients were unvaccinated.
