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More measles cases and public exposures reported in latest outbreak update

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The virus continues to spread in the Upstate with 17 new cases, according to the South Carolina Department of Public Health's Friday update. The count brings the total number of people sickened in the outbreak to 950.

On Friday, the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed 17 new cases of measles in the state, bringing the total number of cases in the Upstate outbreak to 950.

There are currently 186 people in quarantine and nine in isolation.

DPH also has identified numerous locations where exposures to the virus may have occurred. The list now includes:

  • Itto Ramen Bar, 1807 Poinsett Hwy., Greenville, on Thursday, Feb. 5 from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
  • HomeGoods, 1125 Woodruff Rd., Greenville, on Thursday, Feb. 5 from 10 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
  • Children's Medical Center, 841 S. Buncombe Rd., Greer, all day on Wednesday, Feb. 4 and Friday, Feb. 6.

The risk of exposure occurs only on the specified dates and times when an infected person was present at the locations.

People who were exposed at Itto Ramen Bar and HomeGoods, especially those without immunity through vaccination or previous disease, should monitor for symptoms through Feb. 26. Those exposed at Children’s Medical Center should monitor for symptoms through Feb. 27.

State health officials continue 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 next scheduled availability is Tuesday, March 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Grace Community Church in Spartanburg.