As of October 17, 2025, the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) has confirmed a total of 19 measles cases in the state this year. Fifteen of these cases are part of an ongoing outbreak in the Upstate region, centered around Spartanburg County. In response, DPH has deployed mobile health units to offer free vaccinations in affected areas. Outbreak details Case count: As of October 17, there were 19 total measles cases in South Carolina since July 9. The most recent increase confirmed three new cases in Spartanburg County. Upstate concentration: The outbreak was officially declared on October 2. The majority of cases are concentrated in Spartanburg County, with a recent case also confirmed in Greenville County. Community spread: The DPH has stated that some cases have no identified source, which suggests that the virus is circulating within the community and could continue to spread. This is primarily linked to lower-than-recommended vaccination rates in some areas of the Upstate. Vulnerable populations: Unvaccinated people are at the highest risk. All cases in the ongoing outbreak have been in individuals who were not vaccinated. A study cited by the CDC noted that nationally in 2025, 97% of people who contracted measles were unvaccinated. Public health response Quarantines: At least two schools in Spartanburg County—Global Academy of South Carolina and Fairforest Elementary—have experienced outbreaks, leading to mandatory quarantines for more than 150 unvaccinated students. Mobile vaccination clinics: The DPH is using mobile health units to provide free measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccines to the public in the Spartanburg area. Specific locations and schedules for the week of October 20 were announced by the DPH. As of October 14, 2025 , the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) has confirmed 16 total measles cases in the state since July, with 12 linked to an ongoing outbreak in the Upstate. This update follows the confirmation of five new cases among individuals who were already in quarantine after being exposed at school. Upstate outbreak details Case count : 16 total cases in 2025; 12 are associated with the Upstate outbreak. Concentration : Most outbreak cases are in Spartanburg County. Quarantined individuals : 139 students from Global Academy of South Carolina and Fairforest Elementary remain in quarantine at home due to school-related exposures. Officials noted that the five new cases were identified within this quarantined population, preventing further public exposure. Public exposure site : The DPH has identified the Crunch Fitness at 1332 S. Pleasantburg Drive in Greenville as a potential exposure location from September 30, between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Anyone who was there during that time is advised to contact a healthcare provider. Community transmission : The DPH has stated that some cases have no known source, suggesting unrecognized community transmission. https://dph.sc.gov/diseases-conditions/infectious-diseases/viruses-parasites-bacterial-infections/measles-rubeola/2025 As of October 9th , that total has risen to 11 cases, mainly in the Spartanburg area, but there has been a case in Greenville, SC. https://dph.sc.gov/news/dph-confirms-states-11th-measles-case-greenville-county-eighth-related-current-outbreak The counties Hendersonville Pediatrics serves are at an increased risk for a Measles outbreak due to lower than protective ("herd immunity") vaccination rates. At this time, in Henderson County, in children aged 5- 18, we are at +/- 80% MMR vaccination rate. It is generally accepted that a rate of 95% vaccinated against MMR is required for herd immunity to measles. There are many pockets in our counties where the vaccination rate is much lower. Babies under 6 months of age cannot be vaccinated for MMR. Babies 6 months to 11 months can receive MMR if there is a local outbreak or if traveling to a country/area where measles is common. Protective rates for measles if MMR given in the 6 to 11-month age are lower (83%). If someone enters one of our offices who we suspect has measles, we will have to close that office for 2 hours. Due to these above concerns, we have implemented some simple questions for our front staff to ask parents when scheduling sick visits. We will update this announcement as new information from the SCDPH is released.
Kids Corner with Dr. S
Kids Corner with Dr. S
Kids Corner with Dr. S
Kids Corner with Dr. S
Kids Corner with Dr. S
Kids Corner with Dr. S
Kids Corner with Dr. S
Kids Corner with Dr. S
Kids Corner with Dr. S