The South Carolina Dept of Public Health, along with the Centers for Disease Control, has recently reported an alarming outbreak of measles. Last week, they reported 27 new infections—just last week! The wave of chickenpox infections had pushed the total number of measles cases in the state this year to 111. This unprecedented jump has forced health officials to these extreme public health measures.
The outbreak isn’t limited to South Carolina. Utah and Arizona have seen similar cases, and the New Mexico case has produced an active opposition from the scientific community. In response to the increasing rate of infection, hundreds of people, including patients and clinicians, have been placed in quarantine out of concerns that the virus will spread further. Over 40 students at Inman Intermediate School have been impacted. Unless displaying symptoms, they will remain in quarantine until December 15.
Health experts have emphasized just how contagious measles is. Except they fail to mention that symptoms typically appear 7 to 14 days after someone’s been infected with the virus. As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reminds us, measles is incredibly contagious. Indeed, 90 percent of unprotected people who come in contact with someone with measles will catch the disease. In addition to pneumonia and other life-threatening complications, measles causes subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, a rare but fatal brain disease.
One of those officials, South Carolina’s state epidemiologist Dr. Linda Bell, recently raised alarm about the continuing high levels of transmission in her state.
“We are faced with ongoing transmission that we anticipate will go on for many more weeks, at least in our state,” – Dr. Linda Bell.
The South Carolina Department of Public Health (S.C. DPH) cautions that family gatherings during the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday could exacerbate the outbreak.
“If those currently in quarantine join family gatherings during the Thanksgiving holiday, we may see many more cases during the Christmas holidays,” – S.C. DPH.
The public health officials are warning that holiday travel significantly heightens the risk of exposure to measles.
“We are reminding people that travel for the upcoming holidays increases the risk of exposures greatly for those traveling and for those accepting visitors,” – S.C. public health officials.
As the outbreak continues into January 2026, anxiety intensifies across the U.S. If this trend does not change course, the nation could soon forfeit its internationally recognized measles-free status. Today, 16 patients continue to be held in isolation because of their infections.
