The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed Tuesday four new cases of the measles in Spartanburg County since Friday—bringing the total number of cases in South Carolina this year to 23 and the number of cases in the current outbreak to 20.
Of the new cases, DPH reports that two individuals were among close contacts to known cases who have been quarantining at home, and none were present in school settings while contagious. Also, because of quarantining efforts, there have been no additional exposures with these new cases. The other two new illnesses are associated with a business in Spartanburg with no public exposures.
State health officials emphasize that early quarantining as a result of an identified exposure shows how rapid containment efforts is highly effective in preventing community spread. DPH also continues to stress the importance of being vaccinated against the highly contagious virus.
DPH is offering the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine at no cost at the following locations:
- Oct. 22: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. at Wellford Baptist Church, 235 Syphrit Rd., Wellford.
- Oct. 23: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. at Dr. T. K. Gregg Community Center, 650 Howard St., Spartanburg.
DPH also announced today that a previously identified case of a child at a gym in Greenville County is now being associated with the current outbreak because of ongoing unrecognized community transmission.
Additionally, students at Global Academy returned to class following the exclusionary period for the school. The exclusionary period for Fairforest Elementary ends tomorrow. The return to school represents all students that DPH has identified under exclusion requirements.