By With 876 confirmed cases, South Carolina’s measles outbreak has become the worst in the United States in decades. While the virus is still spreading, the latest data is beginning to show some encouraging signals.
The Trajectory of the Outbreak
The epidemic first began in October and, within just 16 weeks, surpassed the scale of the 2025 Texas outbreak. However, the number of newly confirmed cases has recently decreased. On Tuesday, South Carolina public health officials announced only 29 new confirmed cases—a much lower figure than those seen in previous weeks.
While it is too soon to determine if the outbreak’s trajectory has finally halted, state epidemiologist Linda Bell told reporters on Wednesday that officials are optimistic.
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The Impact of Vaccination Outreach
Dr. Bell stated that immunization outreach initiatives by public health professionals appear to be working. Just a few weeks ago, she informed reporters that attendance at mobile clinics was quite low. However, that trend shifted dramatically in January:
- Spartanburg County (The Epicenter): Vaccinations increased by 162 percent compared to the previous year.
- Statewide: Vaccinations rose by 72 percent.
Bell noted that this surge in protection is crucial in halting the virus’s spread and emphasized that this is the ideal month to be vaccinated during the current outbreak. “I’m hoping that what we can attribute that to is a wider recognition of the threat of this disease circulating in our communities and the desire for people to be protected against the complications,” she said.
Clinical Severity and Hospitalizations
Measles is frequently associated with serious consequences such as pneumonia and encephalitis (swelling of the brain). To date, public health experts have confirmed that at least 19 adults and children have been admitted to hospitals.
Dr. Robin LaCroix, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Prisma Health in Greenville, South Carolina, has assisted in treating several of these children. She noted that patients could become quite sick: “When I go in to see these children, it is always so sobering to see how difficult this illness is for them. They are dehydrated as a result of their fever and general illness. Their coughing is becoming worse and worse.”
On Wednesday, LaCroix and her colleagues informed reporters that they are prepared for further difficulties in children following infection and anticipate seeing similar issues over the upcoming months.
Risks to Pregnant Women
The outbreak has also posed serious threats to expectant mothers. Dr. Bell reported that a number of unvaccinated pregnant women required immune globulin treatment after being exposed to the virus. Without such interventions, the illness carries risks of preterm labor, stillbirth, and maternal mortality.
Outbreaks in Immigration Detention Facilities
Measles cases have also been confirmed within two Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities:
- Florence, Arizona: A single case was verified earlier in January.
- Dilley, Texas: At least two cases were verified by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) this past weekend at an ICE family detention facility.
Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesman for the DHS, stated that these two individuals are currently under quarantine. Federal immigration officers have stopped all movement within the centers and are quarantining anyone who may have been exposed.
Ongoing Concerns Over Crowded Environments
Despite the containment efforts, Dr. Katherine Peeler, a Harvard Medical School physician and medical specialist with Physicians for Human Rights, remains worried. She highlighted a 2016 measles epidemic at an ICE facility, where researchers discovered the virus could spread swiftly in crowded environments even when immunization levels are relatively high.
“In the same manner that we had extremely high rates of COVID in both adult and family correctional facilities, I am really worried that we will see increased rates of measles outbreaks,” Peeler said. She noted that the likelihood of epidemics increases when vaccination rates fall nationwide, US measles cases rise, and the number of individuals held at ICE facilities grows.
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