South Carolina measles outbreak nears 1,000

COLUMBIA, S.C. (March 7) — South Carolina’s measles outbreak has pushed case totals into the high-900s, and we are emphasizing only points confirmed by at least four independent sources. Those mutually confirming sources include Reuters, the South Carolina Department of Public Health, CIDRAP, and South Carolina Public Radio.

• The outbreak’s case count is near 1,000 as of early March, with each of the four sources reporting totals in the high-900s.
• The outbreak began in fall 2025 and has continued into 2026, according to state and independent public health reporting.

Additional Details Reported

Reuters reported that the CDC is sending staff, including disease detectives, to help analyze outbreak data and support containment efforts. Reuters.

The South Carolina Department of Public Health said the outbreak is centered around Spartanburg County and continues to post regular updates on public exposure locations. South Carolina DPH.

South Carolina Public Radio reported that recent weekly updates have added fewer than 20 cases at a time, suggesting the pace of new infections has slowed, though officials continue to recommend vaccination. South Carolina Public Radio.

The CDC’s national measles dashboard reported 1,281 confirmed U.S. cases as of March 5, 2026, underscoring that the South Carolina outbreak is part of a broader national surge. CDC.

NPR noted that the South Carolina outbreak’s scale has intensified concerns about the United States maintaining its measles elimination status. NPR.

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