A growing measles outbreak in South Carolina has now infected over 600 people since October, with hundreds more potentially exposed. The state's health department reported the initial eight cases last fall and saw that number climb to 176 by the end of the year. As of January 20th, a total of 646 confirmed cases have been reported, most concentrated in the northwestern corner of the state.
This latest surge in measles cases in South Carolina is on track to outpace the West Texas outbreak from last year, which resulted in 762 confirmed infections and two deaths among school-age children. The situation there has improved slightly as the outbreak was declared over in August, seven months after it began.
The highly contagious nature of measles means that people can be exposed for hours after a person sneezes or coughs, with initial symptoms including a high fever, cough, and runny nose. A characteristic blotchy rash typically appears several days later. While most individuals recover from measles, the disease poses significant risks to babies and young children, who may experience pneumonia, lung damage, and weakened immune systems.
To date, 10 people in South Carolina have required hospitalization since the beginning of the outbreak, including both adults and children. Several college campuses, such as Clemson University and Anderson University, are currently dealing with measles cases among students, while thousands more individuals have been asked to quarantine at home after being exposed.
South Carolina's epidemiologist Linda Bell has indicated that the situation could worsen for several weeks or even months if protective behaviors do not improve. A higher vaccination rate is necessary to protect communities against this disease; currently, some school districts have seen rates below 95%, which suggests a potential vulnerability to measles outbreaks in those areas.
The US is likely to see more measles outbreaks in the coming months and years as vaccination levels decline nationwide and vaccine-related issues arise under different administrations.
This latest surge in measles cases in South Carolina is on track to outpace the West Texas outbreak from last year, which resulted in 762 confirmed infections and two deaths among school-age children. The situation there has improved slightly as the outbreak was declared over in August, seven months after it began.
The highly contagious nature of measles means that people can be exposed for hours after a person sneezes or coughs, with initial symptoms including a high fever, cough, and runny nose. A characteristic blotchy rash typically appears several days later. While most individuals recover from measles, the disease poses significant risks to babies and young children, who may experience pneumonia, lung damage, and weakened immune systems.
To date, 10 people in South Carolina have required hospitalization since the beginning of the outbreak, including both adults and children. Several college campuses, such as Clemson University and Anderson University, are currently dealing with measles cases among students, while thousands more individuals have been asked to quarantine at home after being exposed.
South Carolina's epidemiologist Linda Bell has indicated that the situation could worsen for several weeks or even months if protective behaviors do not improve. A higher vaccination rate is necessary to protect communities against this disease; currently, some school districts have seen rates below 95%, which suggests a potential vulnerability to measles outbreaks in those areas.
The US is likely to see more measles outbreaks in the coming months and years as vaccination levels decline nationwide and vaccine-related issues arise under different administrations.
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! It's so crazy that thousands of people have been exposed to measles in just a few months, especially on college campuses like Clemson University 
. As a student myself, I know how quickly diseases can spread through our dorms and classrooms. We need to make sure we're all taking the necessary precautions, like getting vaccinated and washing our hands frequently 
. It's also super concerning that some school districts have vaccination rates below 95% - what if an outbreak happens there? 
I just wish more people would take this seriously and get their shots already 
!
timing for this outbreak, right? South Carolina's got its own little "Measles Party" going on, with over 600 cases already reported... and it's not even done 
yet. I mean, can't we all just get vaccinated or something? 
. Seriously though, Linda Bell is right - we need to step up our vaccination game or else this thing's gonna keep going and going... like a bad meme 
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. We need to get our vaccination rates up and protect ourselves and each other 
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. We need to get people vaccinated ASAP! And what's up with the vaccination rates in some school districts being below 95%?! That's like super low 
. If we don't get our act together, I'm worried we'll see more outbreaks and possibly even more deaths 
.
meh, this news is so worrying 
how can that happen in one place? i was thinking about getting a tattoo and now i'm like "wait, should i?" lol just kidding kinda 
seriously tho, what's going on with the vaccination rates in SC? 95% is pretty low 
doesn't that mean people are more likely to get infected? 
college campuses are dealing with outbreaks too? what's the plan there? 
oh man, this is so not cool 
.
. It's like we're taking two steps forward and three steps back when it comes to public health 
. The situation could worsen for months if people don't improve their protective behaviors... fingers crossed they do 
. Newsflash: you can't escape a cold sore just 'cause you think you're cool 
. And it's not just SC - I'm worried about other states seeing similar outbreaks too. What can we do? 
... it's not just about you, bro 
... I'm all for free markets and all, but when it comes to herd immunity, we gotta be smart about this 
... 95% vaccine rate in school districts? that's a major red flag