South Carolina nears end of major measles outbreak

South Carolina is finally nearing the end of a historic measles outbreak that began in October 2025.

Health officials report that the state is close to clearing the hurdle required to declare the event finished, which involves 42 days without a new case.

The last case linked to the outbreak occurred on March 17, 2026.

In total, 997 people were infected, with the vast majority of cases centered in Spartanburg County.

This event stands as the largest measles outbreak in the United States since 2000, underscoring the vital importance of the MMR vaccine.

Data reveals that approximately 95% of those infected were either unvaccinated or had unknown vaccination records.

Low immunity in certain pockets, particularly in the Upstate region, allowed the virus to spread rapidly, impacting schools and businesses.

While a separate, travel-related case was identified in April 2026, it is unrelated to this major outbreak.

As South Carolina moves forward, public health authorities continue to emphasize that high vaccination coverage remains the most effective way to keep our communities safe and maintain the nation's status regarding disease elimination.