South Carolina Declares End to Worst Measles Outbreak in Decades

On April 27, 2026, the South Carolina Department of Public Health officially declared the end of a major measles outbreak.

With 997 confirmed cases, it was the largest reported outbreak in the United States in over 35 years.

Lasting six months, the virus was primarily concentrated in the Upstate region, especially Spartanburg County.

Tragically, children under 18 bore the brunt of the illness, accounting for over 90% of all cases.

Public health experts identified declining vaccination rates as the primary driver behind the crisis, noting that over 93% of those infected were unvaccinated.

During the 2024–2025 school year, Spartanburg County reported the state’s highest rate of religious vaccine exemptions.

To combat the spread, officials launched an intensive vaccination campaign, leading to an impressive 31.3% increase in statewide MMR vaccinations.

While the response cost the state $2.1 million and forced many students into quarantine, the successful containment serves as a stark reminder of the importance of community immunity.

Although no deaths were reported, the outbreak underscored the vulnerability of communities where vaccination rates drop, threatening the national status of measles elimination across the Americas.