Measles outbreak explodes in South Carolina; Several people hospitalized as cases surpass 200
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South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) sounds alarm after 26 new measles cases were reported since Friday, bringing the total number of cases in the state’s latest outbreak to 211.
The DPH first reported a measles outbreak on October 2 in the northern region of the state. As of Tuesday, 144 people are in quarantine and seven in isolation.
Of the 211 cases, 45 involve children under the age of 5, 143 cases involve children ages 5 to 17, 17 cases involve adults, and six cases involve minors whose ages were not disclosed.
DPH said 196 of the 211 infected people were unvaccinated, four were partially vaccinated, one was vaccinated and 10 are still under investigation or have unknown vaccination status.
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Hundreds of people in South Carolina have contracted measles and some have been hospitalized. (Jan Sonnenmair/Getty Images)
Officials said 19 of the new cases were associated with “known household exposures and previously reported school exposures,” and four resulted from church exposures.
DPH identified public exposures at Sugar Ridge and Boiling Springs elementary schools and began notifying potentially exposed students, teachers and staff on December 31.
There are nine students in quarantine from the two schools.
Of the 211 cases, 45 involve children under 5 years old. (iStock)
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Expositions also occurred at the Tabernacle Church of Salvation, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Spartanburg, the Slavic Pentecostal Church of Spartanburg, and the Ark of Salvation Church.
The origin of one case is unknown, while two others are still under investigation.
Although complications from measles are not reportable, officials said four people, including adults and children, required hospitalization for complications of the disease.
Authorities recommend that all children be vaccinated against measles. (Raquel Natalicchio/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)
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Other cases required medical attention, but those infected were not hospitalized.
People infected with measles are contagious for four days before the rash appears and may not know they can spread measles before knowing they have the disease, according to the DPH.
DPH said it is important for those with mild illness or those in quarantine to stay home to protect others.
“We encourage employers to support workers to continue DPH Recommendations remain out of work while sick or quarantined, which also protects businesses, other workers and customers,” officials wrote in a statement.
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DPH said vaccines remain the best way to prevent measles and stop the outbreak.
Although the CDC recently released new vaccine recommendations under the direction of the Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr.their guidelines still dictate that all children should be vaccinated against measles, mumps, rubella, polio, whooping cough, tetanus, diphtheria, Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib), pneumococcal disease, human papillomavirus (HPV), and chickenpox.
Alexandra Koch is a News Digital journalist covering breaking news, focusing on high-impact events that shape the national conversation.
He has covered major national crises, including the Los Angeles wildfires, the Potomac and Hudson river aviation disasters, the Boulder terrorist attack, and the Texas Hill Country flooding.