South Carolina's measles outbreak continues to spread, and although the sheer quantity of new cases has decreased during March, public health officials have suspected a potential surge in cases to follow spring break activities and gatherings.
The South Carolina Department of Public Health reported three new measles cases in its March 13 update. The public health agency has reported 11 measles cases so far through March; it reported 138 measles cases through February and 671 cases in January.
Reported disease spread had already slowed down in the latter half of February.
DPH's updates release each Tuesday and Friday. Thirty-five cases were reported from Feb. 17 to Feb. 27, whereas 138 cases were reported from Feb. 3 to Feb. 13.
Right now, 30 people are in quarantine and two are in isolation. And of the 996 cases, 934 have been in Spartanburg County residents.
State epidemiologist Dr. Linda Bell said in a March 11 media briefing that the public health agency is hoping spring break festivities will not bring along wave of new cases, but she and DPH will stay "vigilant" in trying to prevent potential spread.
