South Carolina has reported 789 measles cases as of Tuesday, overtaking Texas’s 2025 outbreak total and marking the largest state-level outbreak in the United States this year. The outbreak, which began in October, has primarily affected the northwest part of the state, including Greenville and Spartanburg, according to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.
Since Friday, 89 new cases have been added, highlighting the rapid spread of the disease as public health officials warned the outbreak could continue for weeks or even months due to low vaccination rates in the affected areas. Currently, 557 people are under quarantine, and 20 are in isolation, with the latest quarantine periods set to end on February 19.
Vaccination data from the state shows that the majority of those infected, 695 individuals, were unvaccinated. Fourteen people had received one of the two recommended doses of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, while 20 were fully vaccinated. Sixty cases have an unknown vaccination status.
In comparison, Texas led the U.S. measles surge in 2025, reporting 762 confirmed cases in a West Texas outbreak that began in late January and ended in August. That outbreak included 99 hospitalizations and two fatalities among school-aged children. The remaining Texas cases in 2025 were linked either to international travel or could not be traced to the West Texas outbreak. Since August 2025, no new cases have been reported in Texas residents.
Nationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 416 confirmed measles cases in the U.S. by January 22, 2026. The recent surge in South Carolina underscores ongoing challenges with vaccine uptake and public health preparedness, particularly in regions where vaccination rates remain below recommended levels.
Health officials continue to emphasize the importance of the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine in preventing further transmission. Quarantine measures, vaccination campaigns, and public awareness efforts are being strengthened to contain the outbreak and protect vulnerable populations.
South Carolina’s current outbreak not only surpasses Texas’s total last year but also serves as a reminder that measles remains a serious threat when vaccination coverage drops. The state is closely monitoring the situation and urging residents to ensure they and their families are fully vaccinated.
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