Eight more people have gotten sick with the measles in the current Upstate outbreak. The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed the additional illnesses Wednesday.
With the increase, the infection rate in the current outbreak now stands at 43, and the total number of cases reported in the to DPH in the state this year is up to 46.
According to DPH, six of the new illnesses live in the same household with individuals who were already sick and in quarantine. The other two illnesses also live together, but their infection source has not yet been determined.
State health officials continue to urge unvaccinated residents, who can be vaccinated, to receive the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. To help expedite the process, DPH is expanding its immunization schedule via the agency's Mobile Health Unit.
Residents can be vaccinated, at no cost, today and tomorrow from noon - 4 p.m. at Lyman First Baptist Church, 80 Groce Rd., Lyman.
Since activating the mobile unit in mid-October. DPH has administered 31 MMR doses to 25 adults and six children.