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South Carolina Sees Largest Measles Outbreak in Over Two Decades

KVIA•Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at 6:37 PM•CNN Newsource

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The measles outbreak in South Carolina has escalated to 789 confirmed cases, making it the largest in the U.S. since the disease was declared eliminated in 2000. This surge, which began in October 2025, has resulted in over 600 new cases in 2026 alone, with 18 individuals hospitalized. The outbreak has prompted quarantines for 557 people and has connections to cases in North Carolina and Washington. Health officials stress the importance of vaccination, as the majority of those infected were not fully vaccinated. With the potential risk of losing the U.S. elimination status, public health authorities are urging communities to increase vaccination rates to combat the outbreak effectively.

Key Details: • 789 confirmed measles cases reported in South Carolina as of this week. • Over 600 cases added in 2026 alone, with 18 hospitalizations. • 557 people currently in quarantine due to potential exposure. • Vaccination events are being organized to increase immunization rates. • MMR vaccine is available at no cost for many families through various programs.

public-health vaccination epidemic measles outbreak

People & Organizations

CDCSouth CarolinaRobert F. Kennedy Jr.North CarolinaWashingtonDr. Linda BellSpartanburg CountyDepartment of Public HealthDr. Ralph AbrahamVaccines for Children program

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