Measles Outbreak in South Carolina Is Growing—What To Know

A measles outbreak in South Carolina that began in October 2025, is continuing to grow. On January 16, 2026, the South Carolina Department of Health shared that 124 new cases of measles have been reported, which brings the total number of infected people since the outbreak began to 558.

Hearing about disease outbreaks can be stressful as a parent. As reports of measles outbreaks have increased over the past few years, it’s understandable that you may have many questions and concerns.

That’s why we connected with pediatricians and other infectious disease experts to explain what parents need to know about this outbreak in South Carolina, about measles in general, and how to protect your children.

What To Know About the Measles Outbreak

The measles outbreak in South Carolina, which was first reported on October 2, 2025, and is centered around Spartanburg County, is only one measles outbreak currently happening. There’s also a measles outbreak along the Arizona-Utah border, with 418 people impacted since the outbreak began in August. Overall, 2025 had the most measles outbreak in 34 years, with over 2,000 confirmed cases, and three deaths.

“It has been both sad and frustrating to see the ongoing measles outbreaks over the past year,” says Adam Ratner, MD, MPH, pediatric infectious diseases physician in New York City and the author of Booster Shots: The Urgent Lessons of Measles and the Uncertain Future of Children’s Health. “I’ve been a pediatrician for a long time, and last year (2025) marked the most measles cases that we’ve seen in the United States since before I even started medical school.”

Dr. Ratner says that the most difficult aspect of these outbreaks is that they are preventable by vaccination with a measles vaccine (the MMR vaccine). He notes that all of the outbreaks we are seeing in the country are driven by unvaccinated children, most commonly in communities with lower vaccination rates.

“We need 95% or more of a community to be vaccinated in order to prevent outbreaks from really taking off,” he says. “In basically every case, the communities with large, sustained outbreaks have rates that are much lower than that.”

What Are the Risks of a Measles Infection?

Measles used to be a virus that nearly everyone got, and many people think that means that measles is a more harmless disease than it actually is.

“The most important misconception about measles is that it is a mild disease and that before there was a measles vaccine, everyone got measles and was just fine,” says Dr. Ratner. “It’s true that nearly every child got the measles before we had a vaccine to prevent it, but it wasn’t a benign illness.”

If you get the measles, you might be a “lucky” one and just get really sick with a fever, cough, fatigue, and rash for about two weeks, says Jill A. Morgan, PharmD, BCPS, BCPPS, FNAP, professor and chair of the Department of Practice, Sciences, and Health Outcomes Research at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. But 1 in 5 kids will end up in the hospital, Dr. Morgan points out.

Complications from the measles include ear infections, lung infections, diarrhea, and brain infections. But measles can be life threatening, too.

“People with measles can die, and that is more likely to happen in children less than 5 years of age, pregnant women, and people that are immunocompromised, such as cancer patients and HIV patients,” says Dr. Morgan. “There has also been research done that shows measles knocks out your body’s immune system, so that is it not able to remember how to fight off other infections you previously had like colds and the flu.”

How Parents Can Protect Their Children During a Measles Outbreak

“The best thing to do to protect yourself and your children is to get vaccinated,” says Dr. Morgan. A measles vaccine (the MMR vaccine) offers 97% protection against a measles infection after two doses.

But if your child has not been vaccinated, and is exposed, it’s not too late. “If a child is unvaccinated, vaccinating within 72 hours of exposure can prevent infection,” says Brandi Freeman, MD, MS, president elect of the National Medical Association.

The MMR vaccine is generally recommended for children aged 12 months and older. So, what should you do if your child is under 12 months, has not been vaccinated, but was exposed to measles? If there is an outbreak in your area, you should talk to your health care provider about getting your younger child vaccinated.

“During a measles outbreak, kids over 6 months of age can be vaccinated,” Dr. Morgan says. She also recommends taking additional precautions. “Also, do not socialize with any family that is quarantined from measles exposure to reduce your risk,” she suggests.

Do You Need To Worry?

If you are feeling worried about ongoing measles outbreaks in the U.S., you are not alone. But you aren’t powerless here.

Most children are routinely vaccinated for the measles during their pediatrician well visits, and this is the best way to be sure your family is safe during this time. “If you’re not sure if your child is vaccinated for measles, please contact your pediatrician,” Dr. Freeman says.

She also recommends staying on top of local announcements about measles and other disease outbreaks. “Keep an ear out for recommendations from your health department about exposures and any changes related to vaccine recommendations,” says Dr. Freeman, explaining that if “an outbreak gets more severe, there may be recommendations for booster doses for everyone.”

There are also parents out there who haven’t vaccinated their kids, and may be torn as to what to do now that these outbreaks are occurring. “If parents are on the fence, I encourage them to have an open conversation with their pediatrician or pharmacist about their concerns,” Dr. Morgan emphasizes.