Health and Me

Rachel V Thomas

South Carolina’s Record Measles Outbreak Likely Over as US Cases Near 1,800

South Carolina, which saw the largest measles outbreak in the United States in decades, has declared the outbreak over, state health officials announced.

The development comes as US cases reach 1,792, raising concerns about the country losing its measles elimination status achieved in 2000.

On Monday, health officials in South Carolina marked 42 days without new measles cases, confirming the outbreak that began in Spartanburg County last October has ended. There were nearly 1,000 confirmed cases over six months, including at least 21 hospitalizations. 

On the upside, the outbreak led to a significant uptake in the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccinations. The state said 81,096 MMR vaccinations were given overall statewide, up 31.3 per cent from the previous year. 

According to the public health experts, the increasing vaccination coverage played a significant role in helping to get the outbreak under control. 

In a statement, South Carolina’s Department of Public Health’s Interim Agency Director, Edward Simmer, said that there was a 93.6 percent increase in MMR vaccinations during the outbreak. 

The MMR vaccine is highly effective. One dose prevents the disease about 93 per cent of the time, and two doses raise that protection to 97 per cent. 

“Vaccination – combined with other opportunities for good, solid public health work – really can be effective, even against some of the most contagious viruses,” said Dr. Brannon Traxler, deputy director and chief medical officer with the South Carolina Department of Public Health, CNN reported. 

Notably, unvaccinated school-age children were the most affected by this outbreak, with 95.3 per cent of case-patients unvaccinated and 90.8 per cent of cases in children 17 years old and younger, CIDRAP news reported. 

A total of 33 schools had measles exposures, and seven public school districts were affected. Over the course of six months, 874 students were asked to quarantine. 

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/robert-f-kennedy-jr-denies-link-to-measles-outbreak-at-senate-hearing-article-154149753" data-type="tilCustomLink">Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Denies Link To Measles Outbreak At Senate Hearing</a>

<h2>US Measles Tally Nears 1,800 </h2>

As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) latest weekly update, the US saw 44 new measles cases, one more than the 43 new cases confirmed the previous week. The national total now stands at 1,792 cases. 

In 2026, 22 new outbreaks have been reported, and 93 per cent of confirmed cases are outbreak-associated. While there have been no deaths in 2026 from measles, six percent of case-patients (101 of 1,792) have been hospitalized this year in the US. 

South Carolina also reported an additional measles case this month. However, it was determined not to be associated with the broader outbreak, but the single case exposed more than 40 people. 

Utah reported five more cases in the past week, bringing the state total to 410 for 2026. Arizona has seven more cases, raising the 2026 total to 85. The four most recent cases came from Maricopa County.

“The re-emergence of measles in the Americas is a significant setback, but one that is entirely reversible and demands decisive action,” PAHO Director Jarbas Barbosa said in a press statement.

With several countries in the Americas, including Canada, Mexico, and the US, seeing a measles resurgence, the PAHO has urged leaders to increase MMR vaccination rates.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/surging-measles-cases-in-us-prompting-antivaxxers-to-quietly-embrace-mmr-vaccine-report-article-154133789" data-type="tilCustomLink">Surging Measles Cases In US Prompting Antivaxxers To Quietly Embrace MMR Vaccine: Report</a>

Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through direct contact or through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It is a vaccine-preventable disease that can cause devastating complications, including blindness, pneumonia, encephalitis, and long-term immune dysfunction.

Symptoms typically appear seven to 14 days after exposure and may include:

<ul><li>high fever,</li><li>cough,</li><li>runny nose,</li><li>red eyes,</li><li>rashes across the body.</li></ul>

Health Conditions A-Z

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measles

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us measles outbreak

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utah

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South Carolina measles

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South Carolina, which saw the largest measles outbreak in the United States in decades, has declared the outbreak over, state health officials announced. The development comes as US cases reach 1,792, raising concerns about the country losing its measles elimination status achieved in 2000. On Monday, health officials in South Carolina marked 42 days without new measles cases, confirming the outbreak that began in Spartanburg County last October has ended. There were nearly 1,000 confirmed cases over six months, including at least 21 hospitalizations. On the upside, the outbreak led to a significant uptake in the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccinations. The state said 81,096 MMR vaccinations were given overall statewide, up 31.3 per cent from the previous year.  According to the public health experts, the increasing vaccination coverage played a significant role in helping to get the outbreak under control. In a statement, South Carolina’s Department of Public Health’s Interim Agency Director, Edward Simmer, said that there was a 93.6 percent increase in MMR vaccinations during the outbreak. The MMR vaccine is highly effective. One dose prevents the disease about 93 per cent of the time, and two doses raise that protection to 97 per cent.  “Vaccination – combined with other opportunities for good, solid public health work – really can be effective, even against some of the most contagious viruses,” said Dr. Brannon Traxler, deputy director and chief medical officer with the South Carolina Department of Public Health, CNN reported. Notably, unvaccinated school-age children were the most affected by this outbreak, with 95.3 per cent of case-patients unvaccinated and 90.8 per cent of cases in children 17 years old and younger, CIDRAP news reported. A total of 33 schools had measles exposures, and seven public school districts were affected. Over the course of six months, 874 students were asked to quarantine. Also read: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Denies Link To Measles Outbreak At Senate HearingUS Measles Tally Nears 1,800 As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) latest weekly update, the US saw 44 new measles cases, one more than the 43 new cases confirmed the previous week. The national total now stands at 1,792 cases. In 2026, 22 new outbreaks have been reported, and 93 per cent of confirmed cases are outbreak-associated. While there have been no deaths in 2026 from measles, six percent of case-patients (101 of 1,792) have been hospitalized this year in the US. South Carolina also reported an additional measles case this month. However, it was determined not to be associated with the broader outbreak, but the single case exposed more than 40 people. Utah reported five more cases in the past week, bringing the state total to 410 for 2026. Arizona has seven more cases, raising the 2026 total to 85. The four most recent cases came from Maricopa County. “The re-emergence of measles in the Americas is a significant setback, but one that is entirely reversible and demands decisive action,” PAHO Director Jarbas Barbosa said in a press statement. With several countries in the Americas, including Canada, Mexico, and the US, seeing a measles resurgence, the PAHO has urged leaders to increase MMR vaccination rates.Also read: Surging Measles Cases In US Prompting Antivaxxers To Quietly Embrace MMR Vaccine: ReportWhat Is Measles?Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through direct contact or through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It is a vaccine-preventable disease that can cause devastating complications, including blindness, pneumonia, encephalitis, and long-term immune dysfunction.Symptoms typically appear seven to 14 days after exposure and may include:high fever,cough,runny nose,red eyes,rashes across the body.