Health officials warn the virus is spreading rapidly in low-vaccination communities as the state activates containment protocols and contact-tracing teams.
More than 280 people in South Carolina have been placed under quarantine as the state battles a fast-growing measles outbreak that has now reached 84 confirmed cases, according to public health officials.
Authorities say the virus is spreading quickly through communities with low vaccination coverage, raising concern about additional clusters emerging in the coming days.
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) has deployed expanded contact-tracing teams, issued exposure alerts, and urged immediate vaccination for anyone not protected with the two recommended MMR doses.
WHY THE OUTBREAK IS GROWING
Measles is one of the most contagious diseases in the world — and public health experts emphasize that outbreaks can escalate rapidly when vaccination rates fall below 95%, the threshold needed for herd immunity.
Officials warn of:
- High transmission rates in schools, churches, and multi-family housing
- Severe complications for infants, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals
- Risk of additional quarantines if exposure events continue
STATE RESPONSE & FEDERAL COORDINATION
South Carolina has activated its infectious-disease response protocol, which includes:
- Mandatory quarantines for exposed, unvaccinated individuals
- Pop-up vaccination clinics
- Targeted outreach to low-coverage ZIP codes
- Daily surveillance updates across hospitals and urgent-care centers
CDC officials are assisting with epidemiological modeling to anticipate where the next wave of cases may appear.
