FRIDAY MEASLES UPDATE: DPH Confirms Additional Measles Case in Upstate Outbreak, Bringing Outbreak Total to 35, Total Reported This Year to 38
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Nov. 7, 2025
COLUMBIA, S.C. ― The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) is reporting one new case of measles in the state since Tuesday. The total number of cases in South Carolina now related to the Upstate outbreak is 35, and the total number reported to DPH this year is 38.
Potential exposures for this case are still being investigated. We also expect more cases to come in the days ahead from exposed family members of known previous cases.
There are currently 31 people in quarantine. The successful early quarantining as a result of an identified exposure is a positive public health outcome that has prevented additional community spread during this outbreak.
Our response to the ongoing measles outbreak focuses on identifying cases and their contacts quickly to stop spread and to encourage the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine for those who are not immune to protect people from illness and complications from measles, including those who cannot be vaccinated because they are too young or have underlying health conditions.
We are reminding people that travel for the upcoming holidays increases the risk of exposures greatly for those traveling and for those accepting visitors. Consider getting vaccinated now to prevent measles from disrupting your holiday plans.
To increase access to MMR vaccines, DPH has activated a Mobile Health Unit to deploy to the following locations this week to offer MMR vaccine to unvaccinated individuals at no cost.
Locations:
- Wednesday, Nov. 12: 12-4 p.m. Lyman First Baptist Church, 80 Groce Road, Lyman SC 29365
- Thursday, Nov. 13: 12-4 p.m. Lyman First Baptist Church, 80 Groce Road, Lyman SC 29365
Since being deployed beginning Oct. 16, the Mobile Health Unit has administered 31 doses of MMR (measles vaccine): 25 adults, 6 children.
To check if you are up to date with vaccines, people who receive immunizations from South Carolina providers can access their immunization record through the SIMON public portal. Doses administered prior to 2017 may not be recorded in the registry. If you have questions regarding your immunizations, please reach out to your primary health care provider or the provider that administered the vaccines.
To stay up-to-date on the latest measles outbreak information, visit our dedicated webpage here.
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FRIDAY MEASLES UPDATE: DPH Confirms Additional Measles Case in Upstate Outbreak, Bringing Outbreak Total to 35, Total Reported This Year to 38
View AllStatement from Interim Agency Director Dr. Edward Simmer
Read Full ArticleFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Apr. 27, 2026Today, as we declare an end to the Upstate measles outbreak, the largest in the United States in more than 35 years, I wish to humbly and profoundly thank the many South Carolinians whose hard work prevented this outbreak from becoming far larger and more serious than it could have become. I am very thankful for their efforts and support during this challenging time.
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DPH Announces End to Measles Outbreak in Upstate at 997 Cases
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Apr. 27, 2026COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) is declaring a formal end to the measles outbreak in the Upstate that totaled 997 cases from October 2025 through March of this year.
The last confirmed case was reported March 15, and a period of 42 days of no new cases is required to declare the end of a measles outbreak. This number is double the number of days for an incubation period (21 days) and is a clear indicator of a broken transmission chain.
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Rabid Raccoon Confirmed in Lancaster County; One Pet Exposed
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Apr. 24, 2026COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed that a raccoon found near New Hope and Beaker roads in Heath Springs, S.C., has tested positive for rabies. No people are known to have been exposed at this time. One dog was exposed and will be quarantined as required in the South Carolina Rabies Control Act.
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Apr. 23, 2026COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed that a skunk found near Marlboro Avenue between McDonald Drive and Dicks Circle in Barnwell, S.C., has tested positive for rabies. One person was exposed and has been referred to their health care provider. At this time, no pets are known to have been exposed.