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SC Measles Cases Drop Sharply
26 Feb
Summary
- Measles cases in South Carolina have declined significantly in recent weeks.
- The outbreak, which began in October, has slowed from over 70 to 23 new cases.
- State health officials are seeking additional experts to analyze data.
South Carolina has reported a notable decrease in measles cases over the past two weeks, offering a hopeful sign that the ongoing outbreak may be subsiding sooner than anticipated. Dr. Linda Bell, the state's epidemiologist, attributed this positive trend to the dedicated efforts of frontline epidemiologists.
The outbreak, which commenced in October and was primarily concentrated in the state's northwest region, has shown a significant slowdown. Cases dropped from over 70 in the initial week of February to 23 in the subsequent week. To bolster response efforts, the state is expanding its epidemiology workforce with CDC funding and seeking specialized analytical support.
State health officials have engaged experts from the CDC Foundation to help contain the outbreak, which has become the nation's largest since 1992, with 979 total cases reported as of Tuesday. Concerns linger about potential resurgence in undervaccinated areas and increased exposure risks during the upcoming spring break, especially in crowded tourist locations.
