The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) has raised concerns after reporting 26 new cases of measles, which brings the total to 211 in the ongoing outbreak.
Initially, the outbreak was identified in the Upstate region on October 2.
As of Tuesday, there were 144 individuals in isolation, while seven of those cases remain under investigation.
Among the 211 cases, 45 affected children under five, 143 involved kids aged five to 17, 17 cases involved adults, and the ages of six minors were not disclosed.
Out of the total, 196 cases were in unvaccinated individuals, four were partially vaccinated, one was fully vaccinated, and the vaccination status of 10 cases is still being determined.
Officials noted that 19 of the new cases were linked to previously reported household and school exposures, with an additional four associated with church-related contacts.
The DPH has identified potential public exposures at Sugar Ridge Elementary and Boiling Springs Elementary and started notifying students and staff who may have been affected as of December 31.
Currently, nine students from both schools are in quarantine.
Public health actions also took place at various churches, including the Tabernacle Church of Salvation and the Unitarian Universalist Church of Spartanburg. The source of one outbreak is still unknown, while investigations are ongoing for two others.
Though no complications have been reported, four individuals, including both an adult and a child, required hospitalization due to measles complications.
Most infected individuals did not need hospitalization, but some required further treatment.
According to the DPH, measles can be contagious for four days before the rash appears, meaning individuals may unintentionally spread the disease before they even realize they are infected.
The DPH emphasized the importance of people with mild symptoms or those in isolation staying at home to protect others.
“We urge employers to back their employees in adhering to DPH recommendations for taking time off during illness or isolation, which in turn helps protect businesses, other employees, and customers,” officials stated.
The best way to combat the current outbreak remains vaccination, according to the DPH. Recently, the CDC issued new recommendations on vaccinations, which still advocate for all children to receive vaccines for measles, mumps, rubella, polio, and several other diseases.
