Doctors across South Carolina are raising concerns as a measles outbreak continues to spread, primarily centered in the Upstate region. The highly contagious viral illness, once nearly eradicated thanks to widespread vaccination, is making a concerning comeback, prompting renewed calls for vaccination and heightened vigilance.
As of , the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) has reported 950 cases of measles, with the majority concentrated in Spartanburg County. The outbreak was first confirmed in the Upstate regions on . While many cases are linked to close contacts of known infections, the increasing number of public exposure sites indicates broader community circulation, increasing the risk for those not protected through vaccination or prior infection.
The resurgence of measles highlights the critical importance of vaccination. Measles is exceptionally contagious; an infected person can spread the virus for four days *before* the characteristic rash appears, and for four days *after*. The virus can also remain viable in the air for up to two hours after an infected individual leaves a space, making transmission particularly easy.
“The level of concern is through the roof,” said Dr. Deborah Greenhouse, a Columbia pediatrician. “I just spent 20 minutes talking with the parents of a 2-month-old about the vaccine who want to get it yesterday.”
The standard measles vaccination schedule involves two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine: one between 12 and 15 months of age, and another between 4 and 6 years. However, children as young as six months can receive a dose if they are exposed during an outbreak, a situation now applicable to South Carolina.
The symptoms of measles can initially mimic a common cold or the flu, including cough, fever, and red, watery eyes. However, the distinctive measles rash soon follows. While often an unpleasant illness, measles can lead to serious complications.
“Measles can lead to pneumonia and encephalitis, which is swelling around the brain,” explained Dr. Lauren Matthews with Lexington Pediatric Practice. “It can also lead to deafness, intellectual disability and even death.”
Beyond the immediate illness, measles can also compromise the immune system, creating a period of vulnerability to other infections. As Anna-Katherine Burch, the director of pediatric infectious diseases at Prisma Health Children’s Hospital of the Midlands, explained, “It tricks your body to only produce antibodies against the measles, and your body forgets your immunity to what you’ve seen before…We’re talking about 10 and 12-year-olds who are dying from this, not 50-year-olds.”
While the current outbreak is largely confined to the Upstate, doctors emphasize that measles does not respect geographical boundaries. “Measles does not respect county borders,” Dr. Greenhouse stated. “The immunization rate here is not high enough, but it is significantly higher than in the Upstate, so it’s not as easy” for the measles outbreak to spread through the Midlands.
The decline in measles vaccination rates is linked, in part, to the spread of misinformation and vaccine hesitancy. Some parents have expressed concerns based on debunked theories linking vaccines to autism, and even prominent figures have questioned vaccine schedules. Doctors are actively working to address these concerns and reinforce the safety and efficacy of the MMR vaccine.
“We’ve seen families who have vaccinated their children with us previously without any concerns, and now those same families are very vaccine hesitant because of what they hear from folks,” Dr. Greenhouse noted. “Any parent would be confused.”
Dr. Matthews has observed a rise in vaccine hesitancy following the COVID-19 pandemic, when some individuals felt pressured to receive a new vaccine without fully understanding the science. “What I walk my patients through is how we know Here’s safe, that vaccines are well-studied and that this is the best way to keep your child healthy,” she said.
Data from the DPH indicates that 95% of those diagnosed with measles in South Carolina were unvaccinated. The department has also reported a significant increase in requests for the MMR vaccine in recent months.
Health officials urge anyone with questions or concerns about measles to consult with a trusted healthcare provider. “Don’t get your medical advice online, on social media,” Dr. Greenhouse advised. If you suspect exposure to measles, it is crucial to call your healthcare provider *before* visiting, allowing them to take appropriate precautions to protect other patients.
The DPH is offering the MMR vaccine at no cost through its Mobile Health Unit at various locations. The MMR vaccine is administered as a two-dose series, and booster doses are generally not needed. Updates on the outbreak and mobile health unit locations will be posted twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Fridays, and the frequency may change depending on disease activity.
Parents seeking reliable information about measles and vaccination are encouraged to visit the website of the American Academy of Pediatrics (www.aap.org).
