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South Carolina Grapples with Escalating Measles Outbreak, Hundreds Quarantined
Spartanburg County, SC – South Carolina is experiencing a significant measles outbreak, leading to the quarantine of hundreds of residents across the Upstate region. The South Carolina Department of Health (DPH) reported a sharp increase in confirmed cases, with the current count reaching 111 in Spartanburg County.
The DPH first announced a measles outbreak in the Upstate on October 2nd. As of Wednesday’s media briefing, 254 individuals are under quarantine, and 16 are in isolation to curb further transmission.
“This significant jump in cases is unfortunate,” a DPH spokesperson stated regarding the escalating situation.
Public exposure has been identified at Inman Intermediate School, where 43 students are currently in quarantine. Additionally, eight other intermediate and middle schools in the area are reportedly implementing quarantines, with some students undergoing a second quarantine due to repeated exposure.
Officials are emphasizing the importance of vaccination as the primary defense against the disease. “Vaccination continues to be the best way to prevent the disruption that measles is causing to people’s education, to employment and other factors in people’s lives and our communities,” the DPH spokesperson urged.
Of the 111 confirmed cases, 105 were unvaccinated. The DPH spokesperson highlighted that receiving a vaccination within 72 hours of exposure has been shown to prevent measles infection.
While some cases have been linked to travel, others are from an unknown source, indicating that measles is circulating within the community. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and encourage residents to take preventative measures.