At a Glance
- South Carolina measles cases jumped from 211 to 434 in one week
- 409 people quarantined, 17 isolated; quarantine ends by Feb. 6
- Exposure risk at Columbia’s State Museum Jan. 2, 1-5 p.m.
- Why it matters: Unvaccinated visitors could still develop symptoms through Jan. 23
South Carolina’s measles outbreak more than doubled in seven days, climbing from 211 to 434 confirmed cases, according to the Department of Public Health (DPH). The agency reported 124 new infections since the previous Friday, forcing 409 residents into quarantine and 17 into isolation.
Outbreak Timeline
| Date | Event | Cases |
|---|---|---|
| Oct. 2, 2025 | DPH confirms outbreak | 3+ |
| Jan. 6, 2025 | State total reported | 211 |
| Jan. 13, 2025 | New weekly cases | +124 |
| Jan. 13, 2025 | Cumulative total | 434 |
DPH first declared an outbreak Oct. 2 after linking three or more infections to a common exposure. Spartanburg County, bordering North Carolina, continues to report the bulk of new illnesses.
Exposure Alert
One contagious individual toured the South Carolina State Museum in Columbia on Friday, Jan. 2, between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Officials stress the visitor did not know they were infectious.
Anyone in the museum during that window should:
- Monitor for cough, runny nose, red watery eyes, fever, or rash through Jan. 23
- Contact a health-care provider if symptoms appear
- Verify measles immunity; unvaccinated contacts may still develop illness
The incubation period is typically 7-14 days but can stretch to 21.
Quarantine Status
- 409 residents remain under quarantine
- 17 positive cases are isolated
- Current quarantine orders expire no later than Feb. 6
Dr. Linda Bell, state epidemiologist, noted during a Dec. 10 briefing that 27 cases surfaced in only three days, affecting students from nine schools plus a church and a health-care facility. “That is a significant increase in our cases in a short period of time,” she said. “Accelerating is an accurate term.”
Vaccination Gap
Spartanburg County childhood immunization coverage hovers around 90 percent, below the 92-94 percent Community Immunity Threshold recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Bell attributes the rapid spread to “lower than hoped for vaccination coverage” and the virus’s “highly infectious characteristics.”
Key prevention points:
- MMR vaccine within 72 hours of exposure can prevent infection
- Vaccination after 72 hours still offers future protection and may avert later quarantine
“Vaccination continues to be the best way to prevent the disruption that measles is causing to people’s education, to employment,” Bell emphasized.
Complications Beyond Rash
The CDC warns measles can trigger pneumonia or encephalitis-brain swelling that may lead to hearing loss, cognitive disabilities, or death. Early symptoms include high fever, cough, and runny nose before the characteristic rash appears two to three days later.
Wider Impact
Georgia, Oregon, and Virginia have already recorded their first measles cases of 2025. Nationwide, 2024 saw 285 infections; 2023 tallied 2,144 cases across 44 states.
Multiple large-scale studies confirm vaccines are safe; no scientific evidence links the MMR shot to autism.
Key Takeaways
- Cases doubled in one week; outbreak began Oct. 2
- Museum visitors Jan. 2, 1-5 p.m., should watch for symptoms through Jan. 23
- Low county vaccination rates fuel rapid transmission
- MMR remains the most effective shield against illness and quarantine
