Prisma Health is implementing additional restrictions in its hospitals throughout the state in response to rising measles cases. The new measures take effect Thursday.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, South Carolina currently has the nation's largest measles outbreak. On Tuesday, the state's Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed 876 illnesses now related to the Upstate outbreak. DPH will release another update Friday.
Under the new guidelines, Prisma will now require masks for:
- Patients and visitors in emergency departments. Adults will be required to wear a mask until evaluated. Parents will be asked to mask children ages two and older.
- Anyone entering labor and delivery units, OB triage and other birthing-related areas until evaluated. Patients and care partners who are experiencing fever, rash or respiratory symptoms will be asked to continue wearing a mask.
The measures are designed to reduce the risk of transmission and ensure a safe environment for patients, visitors and team members.
The airborne virus is highly contagious for four days before the rash begins. In addition, measles droplets can remain in the air for up to two hours putting unprotected individuals at extreme risk of becoming ill.
DPH continues to encourage unvaccinated South Carolinas to consider the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccination to help stop the outbreak. And because younger children are at much higher risk for complications, Prisma pediatricians are asking parents to consider early vaccination options for infants and toddlers.
The recommendations include:
- One dose of MMR for infants 6-11 prior to international travel or in outbreak areas
- An accelerated second dose which can be administered earlier than four years old, as long as it's 28 days after the first dose.
Parents should consult their pediatrician to determine the best timing.
In response to the ongoing outbreak in the Upstate, DPH will again activate its mobile unit to offer the MMR vaccine to the public at no cost. The unit will be at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Spartanburg on Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.