News Summary
Spartanburg County faces a measles outbreak with over 150 unvaccinated students quarantined due to confirmed cases in schools.
Spartanburg County, South Carolina is facing a significant public health concern as more than 150 unvaccinated students have been ordered to quarantine due to a measles outbreak. Health officials are responding vigorously to the situation, which has seen seven confirmed cases linked to students at Fairforest Elementary School and Global Academy. This outbreak is part of a growing trend, as South Carolina reported its highest number of measles cases since the virus was eliminated over 20 years ago, with a total of 11 cases recorded in 2025.
In Spartanburg County, the students affected are from two schools with a combined enrollment of nearly 1,400, indicating at least 11% of the student body is unvaccinated. The latest confirmed case involved a child from Greenville County, prompting health officials to investigate the source of the infection. All confirmed cases in this outbreak have occurred among unvaccinated individuals with no prior immunity.
Health professionals emphasize the critical importance of vaccination, especially as community-wide transmission of measles is suspected. Measles infections can lead to serious complications, and the virus can remain airborne for up to two hours after an infected person has left a room. Symptoms typically begin with a high fever, cough, red eyes, and a runny nose, followed by a rash that spreads from the face to the rest of the body.
In accordance with public health guidelines, all exposed unvaccinated students are required to quarantine for 21 days, the typical incubation period for measles. Statistics indicate that up to 90% of unvaccinated individuals exposed to the virus may contract the disease. To counteract this outbreak and prevent further spread, the South Carolina Department of Public Health is enhancing access to measles vaccinations through mobile health clinics, while vaccines are readily available at doctors’ offices, health departments, and pharmacies, often covered by insurance plans.
Health officials advise that unvaccinated individuals exposed to measles may still receive the vaccine within 72 hours to potentially reduce the severity of illness or avoid it altogether. The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is most effective when administered in childhood, with the first dose recommended between ages 1-15 months and a second dose between ages 4-6 years.
While many children in South Carolina are required to be up to date on vaccinations, the state’s reporting indicates concerning trends regarding vaccination exemptions. Spartanburg County has one of the lowest vaccination rates in South Carolina, with less than 90% of K-12 students providing completed vaccination forms. Moreover, the rate of religious exemptions for vaccinations has seen a notable increase, from less than 1% in the 2014-2015 school year to over 3.3% in the most recent academic year. Notably, Spartanburg County reported the highest rate of religious exemptions, with over 8% of its students unvaccinated.
In response to this outbreak, parents of exposed students have been informed, and compliance with public health guidelines is crucial for community health and safety. Authorities are urging parents to ensure their children are vaccinated to mitigate the risk of further outbreaks, highlighting the essential role vaccinations play in protecting not only individual health but also public health at large.
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Author: STAFF HERE GREENVILLE
The HERE Greenville Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Greenville community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Greenville Our team includes lifelong Greenville residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sales in the Heritage Historic District 17 , Greenville’s textile and railroad heritage 2 , and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Greenville Technical College programs) 27 . Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Greenville Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
