South Carolina is currently at the center of the nation’s largest measles outbreak, with Spartanburg County as the epicenter. The South Carolina Department of Public Health has reported a concerning surge, with 124 new cases identified recently.

The outbreak, which began in late 2025, shows no signs of slowing down. To date, the statewide total has climbed to over 400 cases. Health officials are sounding the alarm as the virus continues to spread rapidly through the community.

The highly contagious nature of measles is a significant factor in the rapid escalation of cases. According to health experts, an individual infected with measles can potentially transmit the virus to up to 20 unvaccinated individuals.

As the situation evolves, public health authorities are working diligently to contain the outbreak and are urging residents to ensure their vaccinations are up to date to help curb the spread.

The DPH said measles is one of the most contagious viruses in the world and a single infected person can spread it to as many as 20 others who are unvaccinated.

“It is going to continue to spread very quickly through populations that are heavily unvaccinated because it is just so contagious,” Nathan Heffington, the Medical Director for Parkside Pediatrics, said.

Health officials said one reason the virus is spreading so quickly is that some people may not realize they are infected and continue going out in public.

There have been multiple reported exposures across the Upstate where people were unaware; they should have been quarantining.

Doctors said most cases are among children ages 5 to 17, an age group with some of the lowest vaccination rates.

“It is going to go where the vaccination rate is the lowest,” Heffington said.

Officials point to schools as a major driver of the outbreak.

“There are schools that have vaccination coverage that is as low as 20% in some particular school settings,” South Carolina’s State Epidemiologist, Dr. Linda Bell, said.

State Senator Josh Kimbrell addressed the outbreak on social media, calling the situation in Spartanburg County Schools a “clear and present danger” to public health.

Kimbrell said he respects parental choice but raised concerns about religious exemptions.

While he has opposed Covid-19 vaccine mandates, Kimbrell said highly contagious diseases, like measles, should be treated differently.

Tim Smith, whose wife is a local teacher and was vaccinated but still contracted measles, said the state’s religious exemption law is being taken advantage of.

“Measles was eradicated for 50 years; it was done,” Smith said. “You didn’t hear it. Each one of us had measles vaccines. Mom and Dad showed our vaccine cards at the school when we go to get our registration; we were allowed in public school. That’s been done away with.”

Health officials said breakthrough cases are possible but far less likely in vaccinated individuals.

Doctors warn measles can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia and long-term immune damage.

Health officials said they will continue to work to slow the spread by encouraging folks to get vaccinated.

DPH has activated its mobile health unit at the Unitarian Universalist Church on Wheeler Court in Spartanburg from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., happening Wednesday and Thursday. There is no cost to get vaccinated. 

For a list of places with possible exposures, Measles exposure reported at another Spartanburg County school

Bell said you shouldn’t solely focus on where outbreaks are linked to, but rather be aware that the virus is spreading rapidly across many areas of our county. Those not immune are at risk.