South Carolina measles outbreak surpasses Texas 2025 cases: Nearly 600 new infections
TOI GLOBAL DESK | TOI GLOBAL | Jan 28, 2026, 19:42 IST
South Carolina is facing a troubling surge in measles cases, outpacing Texas from last year with nearly 600 new infections reported in just over a month, bringing the total to 789. This alarming epidemic poses a significant risk to the country's measles elimination efforts. Schools are taking precautionary measures, as hundreds of children remain in quarantine.
South Carolina is currently experiencing a measles outbreak that has surpassed the case count of a 2025 outbreak in Texas, with nearly 600 new cases logged in just over a month. The outbreak, concentrated in northwestern Spartanburg County, shows no signs of slowing, bringing the total confirmed cases to 789 since September. This surpasses last year's Texas outbreak, which reported 762 cases, though experts believe that number was likely an undercount. The United States' measles elimination status is at risk due to this ongoing outbreak and another large one on the Utah-Arizona border.
As of Thursday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had confirmed 416 measles cases nationwide this year. This figure represents nearly 20% of the total cases reported in 2025. Other states with confirmed measles cases in 2026 include California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Virginia, and Washington.
Last year was the nation’s worst year for measles spread since 1991. The U.S. confirmed 2,255 cases and nearly 50 different outbreaks. Three people died from the illness, all of whom were unvaccinated. Among those who died were two children in Texas.
Measles is caused by a highly contagious virus that is airborne. It spreads easily when an infected person breathes, sneezes, or coughs. A vaccine is available to prevent the disease.
The virus initially infects the respiratory tract before spreading throughout the body. Symptoms include a high fever, runny nose, cough, red, watery eyes, and a rash. While most people recover, measles can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia, blindness, brain swelling, and death. The CDC defines an outbreak as three or more related cases.
In South Carolina, 789 measles cases have been logged as of Tuesday. The outbreak is centered in Spartanburg County. Officials confirmed 89 new cases since Friday.
The outbreak has rapidly grown in the last month, becoming the worst in the nation. Hundreds of children across dozens of schools have been quarantined due to measles exposures, with some experiencing multiple quarantines. The outbreak has also spread to North Carolina and Ohio.
Health officials are also responding to an outbreak in an area nicknamed Short Creek, which encompasses the border towns of Hildale, Utah, and Colorado City, Arizona. Arizona health officials have documented 222 cases in Mohave County. In recent days, a small number of cases were detected for the first time in Maricopa, Pima, and Pinal counties. Utah officials have confirmed 216 cases, with 55 of those occurring in the past three weeks. Experts in both states have expressed concern about potential undercounts of the actual number of cases.
The best way to avoid measles is to receive the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine, commonly known as the MMR vaccine. The first dose is recommended for children between 12 and 15 months old. The second dose is recommended between 4 and 6 years old.
After receiving two doses of the MMR vaccine, it is 97% effective against measles. Its protection is considered lifelong.
Measles has a harder time spreading through communities with high vaccination rates, generally considered to be above 95%. This is due to a phenomenon known as "herd immunity." However, childhood vaccination rates have declined nationwide since the pandemic. More parents are also claiming religious or personal conscience waivers to exempt their children from required vaccinations.
As of Thursday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had confirmed 416 measles cases nationwide this year. This figure represents nearly 20% of the total cases reported in 2025. Other states with confirmed measles cases in 2026 include California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Virginia, and Washington.
Last year was the nation’s worst year for measles spread since 1991. The U.S. confirmed 2,255 cases and nearly 50 different outbreaks. Three people died from the illness, all of whom were unvaccinated. Among those who died were two children in Texas.
Measles is caused by a highly contagious virus that is airborne. It spreads easily when an infected person breathes, sneezes, or coughs. A vaccine is available to prevent the disease.
The virus initially infects the respiratory tract before spreading throughout the body. Symptoms include a high fever, runny nose, cough, red, watery eyes, and a rash. While most people recover, measles can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia, blindness, brain swelling, and death. The CDC defines an outbreak as three or more related cases.
In South Carolina, 789 measles cases have been logged as of Tuesday. The outbreak is centered in Spartanburg County. Officials confirmed 89 new cases since Friday.
The outbreak has rapidly grown in the last month, becoming the worst in the nation. Hundreds of children across dozens of schools have been quarantined due to measles exposures, with some experiencing multiple quarantines. The outbreak has also spread to North Carolina and Ohio.
Health officials are also responding to an outbreak in an area nicknamed Short Creek, which encompasses the border towns of Hildale, Utah, and Colorado City, Arizona. Arizona health officials have documented 222 cases in Mohave County. In recent days, a small number of cases were detected for the first time in Maricopa, Pima, and Pinal counties. Utah officials have confirmed 216 cases, with 55 of those occurring in the past three weeks. Experts in both states have expressed concern about potential undercounts of the actual number of cases.
The best way to avoid measles is to receive the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine, commonly known as the MMR vaccine. The first dose is recommended for children between 12 and 15 months old. The second dose is recommended between 4 and 6 years old.
After receiving two doses of the MMR vaccine, it is 97% effective against measles. Its protection is considered lifelong.
Measles has a harder time spreading through communities with high vaccination rates, generally considered to be above 95%. This is due to a phenomenon known as "herd immunity." However, childhood vaccination rates have declined nationwide since the pandemic. More parents are also claiming religious or personal conscience waivers to exempt their children from required vaccinations.