FRIDAY MEASLES UPDATE: DPH Reports 99 New Measles Cases in Upstate, Bringing Outbreak total to 310
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Jan. 9, 2026
COLUMBIA, S.C. ― The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) is reporting 99 new cases of measles in the state since Tuesday, bringing the total number of cases in South Carolina related to the Upstate outbreak to 310. The outbreak remains centered around Spartanburg County, with most cases located there.
There are currently 200 people in quarantine and nine in isolation. The latest end of quarantine for these is January 29.
“The number of those in quarantine does not reflect the number actually exposed,” said Dr. Linda Bell, state epidemiologist and DPH’s incident commander for the measles outbreak. “An increasing number of public exposure sites are being identified with likely hundreds more people exposed who are not aware they should be in quarantine if they are not immune to measles. Previous measles transmission studies have shown that one measles case can result in up to 20 new infections among unvaccinated contacts.”
Numerous public exposure sites also limits our ability to associate non-household related cases to a likely source.
DPH has identified new public exposures at Jesse S. Bobo Elementary and began notifying potentially exposed students, faculty and staff on Dec. 30. Students from Jesse S. Bobo Elementary, Sugar Ridge Elementary and Boiling Springs Elementary who quarantine successfully without becoming ill are scheduled to be able to return to classes Jan. 10.
DPH sent a statewide Health Alert on Jan. 7 advising health care providers and facilities of the importance of heightened awareness for measles and recommended measures for the use of masks and rapid isolation of suspect measles cases to protect people in health care settings from exposures.
A person with measles is contagious from four days before the rash appears, so measles may not be suspected. Therefore, it is very important for those with mild illness or those who are in quarantine to stay home to protect others from possible measles spread. We encourage employers to support workers in following DPH recommendations to stay out of work while ill or in quarantine which also protects businesses, other workers and clients.
To stay up-to-date on the latest measles outbreak information, visit our dedicated webpage here.
Vaccination continues to be the best way to prevent measles and stop this outbreak. Vaccines are available at many primary care provider offices and pharmacies, as well as DPH Health Departments.
DPH’s Mobile Health Unit can be requested by completing this form on our website. DPH will take steps to increase access to MMR vaccination in health department locations or mobile units, should demand dictate.
Outbreak Data Points
Age breakdown of 310 cases:
Under 5: 69
5-17: 206
18+: 29
Minors under 18 (age undisclosed): 6
Vaccination status:
256 unvaccinated, 2 partially vaccinated with one of the recommended two-dose MMR sequence, 2 vaccinated, and 50 unknown.
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FRIDAY MEASLES UPDATE: DPH Reports 99 New Measles Cases in Upstate, Bringing Outbreak total to 310
View AllTUESDAY MEASLES UPDATE: DPH Reports 29 New Measles Cases, Bringing Outbreak total to 876; New Case in Pee Dee Region, Additional Public Exposures Identified
Read Full ArticleFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Feb. 3, 2026COLUMBIA, S.C. ― The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) is reporting 29 new cases of measles in the state since Friday, bringing the total number of cases in South Carolina related to the Upstate outbreak to 876.
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Rabid Skunk Confirmed in Anderson County; 19 Livestock Exposed
Read Full ArticleFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Feb. 2, 2026COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed that a skunk found near Hiott Road and Lakewood Lane in Anderson, S.C., has tested positive for rabies. No people are known to have been exposed at this time. One calf was directly exposed and multiple cows had potential exposure. It is rare that rabies is transmitted from one cow to another within a herd; however, out of an abundance of caution, the calf will be confined away from the herd, and the remaining cows will be observed for 180 days.
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DPH Stands Down Winter Storm Triage Line; Care Line Resumes Normal Hours
Read Full ArticleFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Feb. 1, 2026COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) is standing down its winter storm-related Triage Line for Medical Equipment Power Shelters eligibility and resuming normal hours of the agency’s Care Line (1-855-472-3432) as of 2 p.m. today.
Both services have been operating 24 hours a day since Jan. 31.
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DPH Confirms Two Additional Winter Storm-Related Deaths in South Carolina, Bringing Total to Six
Read Full ArticleCorrection: All four previous deaths have been included.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Jan. 31, 2026COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) is announcing two additional deaths confirmed as being related to the winter storm that swept through the state this past weekend, bringing the total number of storm-related fatalities to six.