The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed 11 new measles cases from Tuesday to Friday during the third week of February. It is the fourth consecutive update with the number of cases under 20.
973 South Carolinians have contracted the disease since the outbreak began last fall. All but 50 of the state's measles cases are in people who live in Spartanburg County, according to the state's measles dashboard. Thirty-five people who live in Greenville County have been infected in and eight people who live in Anderson County have been infected. Less than five people in Cherokee, Lancaster and Sumter counties have contracted measles.
Ten of the new cases are in Spartanburg County residents. One lone case was confirmed in Anderson County.
Although spread has seemingly slowed, state public health officials still recommend vaccination as the "best way to prevent measles and stop this outbreak." A mobile health unit will be at Grace Community Church, 570 Magnolia St., Spartanburg from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, March 3. Residents can receive the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination at no cost.
Public exposure was confirmed at one school and four public locations:
- Mabry Middle School
- Spartanburg Community College Giles Campus at 107 Community College Dr. in Spartanburg on Tuesday, Feb. 17 from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Those exposed should monitor for symptoms through March 10.
- Costco at 211 W. Blackstock Rd. in Spartanburg on Tuesday, Feb. 17 from 12 to 3 p.m. Those exposed should monitor for symptoms through March 10.
- Tabernacle of Salvation Slavic Church at 150 Outlet Rd. in Spartanburg on Sunday, Feb. 15 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Those exposed should monitor for symptoms through March 8.
- Westgate Baptist Church at 1990 Old Reidville Rd. in Spartanburg on Wednesday, Feb. 11 from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Those exposed should monitor for symptoms through March 4.
Right now, 105 people remain in quarantine and seven in isolation. And of the 973 cases, 906 are in fully unvaccinated people. Twenty of the cases are in partially vaccinated people, 26 are in fully vaccinated people and the vaccination status of 21 people is unknown.
Measles symptoms can show between a week after exposure to 21 days after exposure. Symptoms include a visible rash that almost always begins on the face and a fever.
