News Summary
A measles outbreak in South Carolina has led to the quarantine of 153 unvaccinated children, following multiple confirmed cases in the region.
Greenville, South Carolina – A rising measles outbreak in upstate South Carolina has resulted in the quarantine of 153 unvaccinated children for a minimum of 21 days. This decision follows the confirmation of a measles case in Greenville County, which has no known connection to seven other cases identified in Spartanburg County. In total, the South Carolina Department of Public Health has confirmed 11 measles cases in the region this year, with nine located in the Upstate area.
The quarantine requires these unvaccinated students to engage in remote learning during the three-week period, during which parents must monitor them for symptoms associated with measles, including fever and rash. This situation reflects a broader trend, as similar measures have been taken for 118 students in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area of Minnesota due to a small outbreak reported over the past month. The Minnesota health department has confirmed a total of 20 measles cases in the state so far in 2025.
Potential Consequences of Quarantine
Michael Osterholm, an infectious disease expert, has noted that communities will increasingly face the repercussions of quarantining unvaccinated children. In South Carolina, unvaccinated students who have been exposed to the measles virus are excluded from school for three weeks, which aligns with the incubation period where symptoms may develop.
Dr. Linda Bell, the state epidemiologist, has indicated that there is a clear indication of community transmission of the virus in South Carolina. The identified measles cases have emerged from two educational institutions: one elementary school and one charter school serving grades K-12. This presents concerns about the adequacy of vaccination coverage in both Spartanburg County and Greenville County, where the rates stand at approximately 90%. This figure is notably lower than the 95% vaccination threshold required to effectively prevent outbreaks.
Measles Outbreaks and National Trends
Not only is South Carolina experiencing this issue, but a significant multistate outbreak has surfaced along the Arizona-Utah border, where 103 cases have been reported, and additional cases are noted in Utah. Health officials across various states are emphasizing the importance of vaccinations, given that vaccination rates have declined in over three-quarters of U.S. counties since 2019.
Nationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a staggering total of 1,563 confirmed measles cases in the U.S. as of October 7, 2025, with the majority linked to domestic outbreaks. Alarmingly, approximately 67% of states with available MMR vaccination data do not meet the herd immunity threshold needed to sustainably prevent outbreaks of diseases like measles. If this trend continues into the new year, the United States risks losing its status of measles elimination that has been sustained for 25 years.
The Importance of Vaccination
Public health officials are stressing the critical role that vaccinations play in combatting measles. Having effectively eliminated the disease in the U.S. more than two decades ago, the situation emphasizes the effectiveness of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine in preventing outbreaks. The symptoms of measles can manifest with cough, fever, runny nose, red eyes, and a rash that typically progresses from the face to the rest of the body. Moreover, the measles virus has a significant airborne capability, remaining viable in the air for up to two hours after an infected person has departed from the area.
The ongoing events highlight the urgent public health need for increased vaccination effort and awareness to counteract the rising concern of measles outbreaks across the nation, starting with the communities in South Carolina.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Measles Outbreak in Spartanburg County Leads to Quarantine
Measles Outbreak Causes Quarantine for Unvaccinated Students
Measles Outbreak Confirmed in Upstate South Carolina
Measles Outbreak Confirmed in Upstate South Carolina
Senator Bernie Sanders Calls for Health Secretary’s Resignation
South Carolina Issues Urgent Vaccination Warning Amid Measles Rise
First Measles Case Reported in South Carolina
Columbia Senate Committee Votes Against Dr. Simmer’s Nomination
Texas Faces Largest Measles Outbreak in Nearly 30 Years
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Nominated as Health Secretary by Trump
Additional Resources
- WYFF4: South Carolina Measles Outbreak
- NBC News: Measles Students Quarantined
- Fox Carolina: Number Rises in Measles Outbreak
- Wikipedia: Measles
- Greenville Online: Measles Cases in Spartanburg County
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Measles
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.
