At a Glance
- South Carolina reports 20 new measles cases, raising U.S. risk of losing elimination status
- The U.S. has over 2,000 measles cases this year, 93% among unvaccinated or unknown status
- Transmission has persisted since Jan. 20, and could end elimination status in three weeks
Why it matters: The spike threatens the country’s declared elimination of measles and highlights gaps in vaccination coverage.
South Carolina’s measles outbreak has surged, with 20 new cases reported since Friday, bringing the state’s total to 179 for the year. This figure exceeds the total U.S. cases in six of the last ten years. The spread is concentrated in Spartanburg County, affecting mainly children aged 5-17 who are unvaccinated.
- 287 people are currently quarantined to limit spread
- 3 cases have been hospitalized with complications
- 93% of U.S. cases involve unvaccinated or unknown status
National Impact and Elimination Status
The United States has recorded over 2,000 measles cases this year, the highest count since the disease was declared eliminated 25 years ago. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 93% of these cases are in individuals without documented vaccination. If transmission continues unabated, the U.S. could lose its elimination status, a fate Canada suffered in November.
| Metric | South Carolina | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Total cases (2024) | 179 | >2,000 |
| Unvaccinated/unknown | >90% | 93% |
Vaccination Coverage and Risks
A decline in childhood vaccination rates fuels the outbreak. For the 2024-25 school year, only <93% of kindergartners received two MMR doses, down from 95% in 2019-20. A 95% threshold is needed to curb spread.
| School Year | MMR Coverage |
|---|---|
| 2019-20 | 95% |
| 2024-25 | <93% |
Dr. Linda Bell, South Carolina’s state epidemiologist, explained that ongoing transmission occurs in households, schools, and churches. She noted that the holidays may have amplified spread.
Dr. Linda Bell stated:
> “We do anticipate more cases well into January.”
Dr. Linda Bell added:
> “We do believe that the holidays contributed to this.”
Key Takeaways
- South Carolina’s 20 new cases threaten U.S. measles elimination status
- 93% of U.S. measles cases involve unvaccinated or unknown status
- MMR coverage fell below the 95% threshold in 2024-25
The surge underscores the urgent need to address vaccine hesitancy and reinforce public health measures to protect communities from measles.
