The end of the measles outbreak in South Carolina could soon be over. The state Department of Public Health (DPH) reported no new infections in its Tuesday update, keeping the state's case total at 997.
This is the sixth-consecutive update in which no new illnesses have been reported—the last being March 17 when one case was announced. A period of 42 days, or double the number for an incubation period (21), with no new cases is required to declare an end to a measles outbreak. If no new infections are reported, the last day of the outbreak will be April 26.
No one is currently in quarantine or isolation.
With the slowing spread, DPH also is scaling back on the number of weekly outbreak updates. These will now be provided each Tuesday, rather than Tuesdays and Fridays.
State health officials continue to remind South Carolinians that vaccination is the best way to prevent measles and stop this outbreak. Vaccines are available at many primary care provider offices and pharmacies, as well as DPH Health Departments.