Measles is back in the headlines. After a major outbreak earlier this year, the United States is now seeing a second surge of measles cases, and one of the fastest-growing clusters is in South Carolina’s Upstate region. This post explains, in plain language, what’s happening, why it matters, and what you can do to protect yourself and your family. The numbers and recommendations below come from public health authorities and trusted trackers so you can follow the facts, not the fear.
What’s happening
- National picture: Measles cases have climbed sharply this year, with outbreaks in multiple states and case counts rising again after earlier declines.
- South Carolina: The state health department reports a rapidly growing outbreak centered in the Upstate (Spartanburg area), with more than 100 confirmed cases since October and hundreds of people quarantined after exposure.
- Why it’s spreading: The virus is extremely contagious, vaccination coverage in some communities is lower than needed, and holiday gatherings and travel have helped it move from person to person.
How contagious is measles?
Measles spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus can linger in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves a room, and someone with measles is contagious four days before and four days after the rash appears. That combination – airborne spread and contagiousness before symptoms – makes measles one of the most infectious viruses we know.
Because of this, a single unvaccinated person can seed dozens of new cases in a community where many people are not immune. That’s what public health officials are seeing in parts of South Carolina right now.
Quick facts you should remember
| Vaccine | Two doses of MMR give strong protection | ~97% protection |
| Incubation period | Time from exposure to symptoms | Up to 21 days |
| Contagious window | When someone can spread measles | 4 days before to 4 days after rash |
| Airborne persistence | How long virus can stay in a room | Up to 2 hours |
Sources: See the official updates and trackers listed at the end of this article.
The numbers: national and South Carolina totals
- Nationally, public health trackers show that the U.S. has recorded thousands of measles cases this year, with multiple outbreaks contributing to the total. The recent rise is being described as a second surge because case counts are climbing again after earlier outbreaks were controlled.
- In South Carolina, the state Department of Public Health has been posting regular outbreak updates. As of early December, the Upstate outbreak had passed the 100-case mark, with many of the infected people unvaccinated and hundreds of contacts placed in quarantine after exposure.
These figures are updated frequently by state and federal agencies; if you want the most current totals, check the state health department page and the CDC measles data page listed below.
Who is getting sick?
This year’s cases have mostly affected children and teens, but adults can and do get measles – especially if they were never vaccinated or their vaccination status is unknown. Public health reports show that a large share of cases are in unvaccinated people. That’s important because measles is preventable with the MMR vaccine, and outbreaks tend to happen where vaccination rates are lower than they should be.
Why South Carolina’s outbreak is “accelerating”
State officials point to several factors:
- Holiday gatherings and travel increased opportunities for exposure and spread. People who were exposed at a gathering may not show symptoms for up to three weeks, so cases can appear in waves after big events.
- Lower-than-ideal vaccination coverage in some communities means the virus finds many susceptible people to infect.
- Known exposure settings – churches, schools, and households – have been common places where transmission occurred, and one exposure can lead to many contacts who then need quarantine.
State epidemiologists emphasize that vaccination is the fastest way to stop the chain of transmission and reduce the need for repeated quarantines and school disruptions.
What quarantine and isolation mean
- Isolation: If you have measles, you are asked to stay away from others while you are contagious (usually until four days after the rash starts). That keeps you from infecting others.
- Quarantine: If you were exposed and are not immune, you may be asked to stay home and watch for symptoms for up to 21 days – the maximum incubation period. Some people in South Carolina have had to quarantine more than once because they were exposed again before they were vaccinated or developed immunity.
Quarantine is inconvenient, but it’s a public health tool to prevent further spread.
What to do if you’re worried or exposed
- Check your vaccination records. Two doses of MMR are the standard childhood schedule and give the best protection. If you’re unsure, talk to your doctor or local health department.
- If you were exposed and are unvaccinated, contact your health department right away. You may be advised to get an MMR shot (sometimes even a dose for infants as young as 6 months in high-risk situations) or to quarantine and monitor for symptoms.
- If you have symptoms – fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and then a rash – call your healthcare provider before going in so they can take steps to avoid exposing others. Measles can lead to serious complications, especially in young children.
- Keep up routine vaccinations. If you or your children are behind on MMR, now is the time to catch up. Vaccination protects individuals and helps stop outbreaks in the community.
Common questions and simple answers
- Can one MMR shot protect my child? One dose gives good protection (about 93%), but two doses are recommended for the best protection (about 97%).
- Is measles dangerous? For most healthy people it’s an unpleasant illness, but it can cause pneumonia, brain swelling (encephalitis), hospitalization, and rarely death – especially in young children and people with weakened immune systems.
- Can I get measles from surfaces? The main risk is airborne spread; the virus can hang in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves a room.
How public health is tracking and responding
Federal and state health agencies are posting regular updates and using contact tracing, quarantine, and vaccination clinics to slow spread. National trackers and university dashboards map cases and exposures so officials and the public can see where transmission is active and where vaccination efforts are needed most.
Bottom line: what you can do today
- Check vaccination status for everyone in your household. If anyone is missing MMR doses, schedule them now.
- If exposed, follow public health guidance on quarantine and testing.
- Avoid large gatherings if you or your child are unvaccinated or if you’ve been told to quarantine.
- Stay informed by checking your state health department and the CDC for updates.
Stopping a measles surge takes both individual action (getting vaccinated) and community cooperation (following quarantine and isolation guidance). The faster communities raise vaccination coverage, the quicker outbreaks slow down and life returns to normal.
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Sources (4)
- South Carolina Department of Public Health – 2025 Measles Outbreak updates and guidance: https://dph.sc.gov/diseases-conditions/infectious-diseases/measles-rubeola/2025-measles-outbreak
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Measles Cases and Outbreaks data and resources: https://www.cdc.gov/measles/data-research/index.html
- Johns Hopkins / IVAC U.S. Measles Tracker – maps and county-level data: https://publichealth.jhu.edu/ivac/resources/us-measles-tracker
- CNN / syndicated reporting on the second measles surge and South Carolina outbreak: https://www.aol.com/articles/us-facing-second-measles-surge-215549013.html