What is Measles?

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

What are the symptoms?

The initial symptoms of measles include fever, cough and runny nose. In about 2-4 days, these symptoms are followed by a rash that usually lasts 5-6 days. Severe complications can occur with measles, including pneumonia, encephalitis (swelling of the brain), and even death.

Complications caused by the virus can occur in as many as 3 out of 10 cases. Complications are most often seen in children under 5 years of age, adults over the age of 20, pregnant women, and individuals with a weakened immune system.

Most people recover from measles completely on their own. For uncomplicated cases, bed rest, drinking plenty of fluids and over-the-counter medications to reduce the fever and headache may help make infected individuals more comfortable. For those who require hospitalization, supportive care is the only treatment.

How do people catch this disease?

The disease is very contagious and is spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes. As many as 9 out of 10 close contacts who have not had the disease earlier or have not been vaccinated with the MMR vaccine may become infected if exposed. After an infected person leaves a location, the measles virus remains alive for up to two hours on surfaces and in the air.

What is the most vulnerable population?

Anyone who has either not had measles or who has not been adequately vaccinated with an MMR vaccine can easily get the disease if exposed. Of the people who become infected, those at highest risk of severe illness and complications are children less than 5 years of age, pregnant women, individuals with a weakened immune system, and adults older than 20.

What can be done to stop the spread of measles?

The measles vaccine (MMR and MMRV) is the best way to protect yourself and others against measles. About 93% of people vaccinated with one dose have permanent protection and about 97% get protection after two doses of measles vaccine. The vaccine is recommended for all infants at 12 months of age. A second dose is recommended between 4 to 6 years of age. Current measles vaccination is also a requirement to attend childcare or school in South Carolina unless there is a valid exemption.

DPH recommends that people speak with their health care provider to make sure they are up to date with recommended vaccines.

What is DPH’s Role in Protecting South Carolina From Measles? 

Making vaccines available at DPH clinics across the state is one of the main ways DPH is actively protecting South Carolinians from measles. In addition to offering vaccines, DPH monitors ongoing outbreaks in the United States and shares relevant information with medical providers through the South Carolina Health Alert Network. DPH also encourages everyone to take steps to reduce the spread of disease by staying home when you are sick, covering your cough and washing your hands regularly. It takes all of us doing what we can to prevent illness, absenteeism, hospitalizations and even deaths in our communities. It is important for people to be aware that those most at risk for complications include children less than 5 years of age, pregnant women, individuals with a weakened immune system, and adults older than 20.

What is DPH doing now to prepare for a measles case or outbreak in South Carolina?

DPH routinely monitors cases and outbreaks of all reportable conditions, working closely with medical providers, schools, childcare and long-term care facilities to address cases and outbreaks as they occur. DPH provides clinical resources, educational information and clinical consultations for medical providers. Clinical evaluation tools are found on our website and in the testing guide above. Additionally, DPH has a team of physicians, nurses and epidemiologists trained to respond to measles cases or outbreaks. 

What actions does DPH take when a case of measles is confirmed?

DPH initiates an investigation for every suspect measles case reported and works closely with cases, providers and involved facilities. To reduce the risk of them developing measles and to prevent spread, DPH provides education, identifies close contacts and offers MMR vaccines to those who are not protected. If a contact that is not immune to measles doesn’t wish to be vaccinated, DPH will educate them about how measles is spread, and possible symptoms they should monitor over the next 21 days. DPH informs unprotected close contacts to stay home and away from others during those 21 days, advising them that they are contagious even before they become sick and can unknowingly spread measles to others. 

Understanding South Carolina's Vaccination Rates Among School Children 

We still have vulnerable populations, both nationally and in South Carolina. The CDC reports that in 2025: the majority, 97%, of people who got measles were unvaccinated. Measles is still common in many parts of the world, including some countries in Europe, Asia, the Pacific and Africa. Travelers with measles continue to bring measles into the U.S. Measles can spread easily when it reaches a community where groups of people are unvaccinated. Based on the 2021 CDC NIS (National Immunization Survey) Child data, coverage rates in the 19- to 35-month-old survey indicate that 88.9% of these aged children in South Carolina have had at least one dose of MMR vaccine. In South Carolina, two doses of MMR vaccine are required for school entry for kindergarten through 12th grade. For the 2023-2024 school year, 92.1% of kindergarten students had two doses of MMR vaccine, down from 95% for the 2019-2020 school year.

• School Vaccination Coverage and Exemption Data by County (2019-2023)

Resources from the CDC

• Measles Overview
• Questions About Measles
• Measles Information for Health Care Professionals