TUESDAY MEASLES UPDATE: DPH Reports 20 New Measles Cases in Upstate, Bringing Outbreak total to 176

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Dec. 30, 2025

COLUMBIA, S.C. ― The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) is reporting 20 new cases of measles in the state since Friday, bringing the total number of cases in South Carolina related to the Upstate outbreak to 176 and the total number reported to DPH this year to 179.

Seven of the new cases were known household exposures, five resulted from a previously reported school exposure, two resulted from an exposure at church, and one resulted from an exposure at either school or church. The sources of four cases are unknown, and one is still being investigated.

There are currently 287 people in quarantine and two in isolation. The latest end of quarantine for these is January 21.

Although complications from measles are not reportable, DPH has learned that three people, including adults and children, with measles required hospitalization for complications of the disease. To protect privacy, DPH does not provide personal details or specifics of the clinical status of cases.

DPH encourages those potentially exposed to notify a health care provider of a possible measles exposure before seeking care to allow arrangements to be made in clinical settings to protect others as clinical sites have also been settings of public exposures.

A person with measles is contagious from four days before the rash appears through four days after its onset, meaning people with mild symptoms can spread measles before they know they have the disease. To help stop the spread of measles, it is very important for those who have even mild illness or are in quarantine to stay home to protect others. 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 also available at many primary care provider offices and pharmacies, as well as DPH Health Departments.

Any community partners or organizations interested in scheduling a vaccination event from DPH’s Mobile Health Unit can request a visit to their location by completing this form on our website. DPH will prioritize requests for MMR vaccination events, if received, and will also take steps to increase appointment availability for MMR vaccination in health department locations, should demand dictate.

Outbreak Data Points
Age breakdown of 176 cases:
Under 5: 36 
5-17: 119 
18+: 15 
Minors under 18 (age undisclosed): 6

Vaccination status:
165 unvaccinated, 4 partially vaccinated with one of the recommended two-dose MMR sequence, 1 vaccinated, 4 unknown, and two still being investigated.

###