SC measles outbreak has gone berserk: 124 cases since Friday, 409 quarantined

A significant outbreak of measles in South Carolina has escalated dramatically, with the total number of cases soaring to 434, a sharp increase over the past week. Since the outbreak began in October, health authorities have reported a doubling of cases, with 124 new infections recorded since last Friday alone. Currently, 409 individuals are under quarantine as health officials strive to contain the virus. The South Carolina Department of Health has committed to providing regular updates on the situation every Tuesday and Friday. Just last week, officials noted a rise of 99 new cases compared to the previous Tuesday, marking a stark contrast to the earlier stages of the outbreak when only 26 new cases were reported on January 6, bringing the total at that time to 211. In response to the alarming rate of infection, health authorities are intensifying their vaccination efforts. They are deploying a mobile health unit to offer free measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccinations, along with flu shots, at two locations in Spartanburg—currently the epicenter of the outbreak. Despite these efforts, the uptake of vaccinations has been disappointingly low since the outbreak began. Officials are sounding the alarm that they are struggling to trace contacts effectively, as new exposures continue to surface. Recently, a contagious individual visited the South Carolina State Museum in Columbia, raising concerns for anyone who was present there between 1 PM and 5 PM ET last Friday. The measles virus can remain airborne for up to two hours, posing a significant risk of infection for unvaccinated visitors. With the contagion's high transmission rate, up to 90 percent of unvaccinated individuals exposed to the virus may develop the disease.