While measles continues to spread in South Carolina, state health officials are reporting fewer cases since its last update. On Tuesday, the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed 13 new illnesses, which is down from 44 on Friday.
The latest count brings the total number of cases related to the Upstate outbreak to 933. There are currently 235 people in quarantine and six in isolation.
DPH also has confirmed a case of measles in Lancaster County but the source of exposure is not yet known, nor are there any known public exposures related to this case in South Carolina. North Carolinians should visit the NC Department of Health and Human Services’ Measles Dashboard for information on potential exposures there.
Since the onset of the outbreak in October, public exposures have been identified in area schools. The list now includes Libertas Academy and Inman Intermediate.
State health officials continues to urge unvaccinated South Carolinians to consider the vaccination—stressing immunization is the best way to prevent illness and stop the outbreak. Vaccines are available at many primary care provider offices and pharmacies, as well as DPH Health Departments.
In an ongoing effort to help protect the public, the DPH Mobile Health Unit will once again be on location in the Upstate for residents to receive the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination at no cost. The times and locations are:
- Friday, Feb. 13: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Zion Hill Baptist Church, Inman
- Tuesday, March 3: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Grace Community Church, Spartanburg
DPH will hold its weekly media briefing Wednesday. SCETV and South Carolina Public Radio will continue to have the latest on the outbreak as updates are provided.