Oct. 7, 2025 

Current Situation

On Oct. 2, 2025, DPH confirmed a measles outbreak in Upstate Region. An outbreak is defined as three or more cases of the same infectious disease linked to a common exposure.

There has been a rise in measles cases in the Upstate this year, with most concentrated in Spartanburg County. As of Oct. 7, 2025, DPH is reporting 10 cases of measles, eight in Spartanburg County, since July 9.

Some cases are travel-related exposures or close contacts of known cases. Other cases have no identified source, suggesting that measles is circulating in the community and could spread further. We have seen measles spread quickly in unvaccinated households here in South Carolina. We also know that it can spread quickly in unvaccinated communities based on outbreaks in other states. 

See the Oct. 2, 2025, announcement for more details.

Key Takeaways

• Measles is highly contagious:
  • A person is contagious four days before and after a rash begins, meaning someone can spread measles before they know they are infected.
  • The virus can linger in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves.
• The measles vaccine (MMR and MMRV) is the best way to protect yourself and others against measles. 

Updates

We will post measles updates twice a week, at noon on Tuesday and Friday. In time, this update frequency may change to more or less each week depending on disease activity.

Media Briefings

• October 3 briefing

News Releases (2025)

• DPH Confirms 9th and 10th Case of Measles in Spartanburg County, Launches Webpage to Update Public on Outbreak (October 7)
• DPH Confirms Measles Outbreak in Upstate Region (October 2)
• DPH Confirms Measles in Upstate Resident; Fourth Case of Measles in South Carolina in 2025 (September 26)
• DPH Confirms Measles in Upstate Resident; Third Case of Measles in South Carolina in 2025 (September 8)
• DPH Confirms Measles in Upstate Resident (July 9)

About Measles

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. 

DPH’s measles page contains what people need to know about measles (e.g., video, educational materials), and frequently asked questions about symptoms, prevention, vaccination history, and DPH’s role in protecting South Carolina from measles.

U.S. Data

Find the latest numbers of confirmed U.S. measles cases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) update this page weekly.