News Summary
A measles outbreak in Spartanburg County has forced the quarantine of over 150 unvaccinated students amidst rising health concerns.
Spartanburg County is currently facing a significant health crisis as a measles outbreak has prompted the quarantine of over 150 unvaccinated students. The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) has confirmed that the outbreak is linked to two schools: Global Academy of South Carolina and Fairforest Elementary School, which is part of Spartanburg School District 6.
As of now, there have been a total of 11 confirmed measles cases reported in South Carolina for the year, with 8 of those infections occurring in Spartanburg County since July. A recent case reported in nearby Greenville County may indicate community transmission, raising concerns among health officials.
The DPH has identified 153 unvaccinated students who were exposed to the measles virus and have issued a directive for these students to stay home for at least 21 days to prevent further spread of the disease. Within the affected schools, approximately 1,400 students are enrolled, with at least 11% of those students not having received the measles vaccination.
Measles Symptoms and Risks
Symptoms of measles typically include fever, cough, runny nose, and a characteristic rash. In severe cases, complications can arise, leading to pneumonia and brain inflammation. Health officials note that exposure to the virus poses a high risk; about 90% of unvaccinated individuals who come into contact with measles are likely to contract the virus.
Vaccination Recommendations
To combat this outbreak, health experts advocate for vaccination with the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) and MMRV vaccines, which provide necessary protection against measles. It is crucial for individuals who have been exposed to the virus to receive the vaccine within 72 hours to potentially lessen the severity of the disease.
Vaccination Rates in Spartanburg County
Spartanburg County has one of the lowest vaccination rates in South Carolina, with nearly 90% of K-12 students being fully vaccinated. This figure reflects a worrying trend, as there has been a growing number of religious exemptions for vaccinations. Reports indicate that the percentage of such exemptions has increased from less than 1% to over 3.3% in recent years.
In response to the outbreak, Spartanburg School District 6 is ensuring that quarantined unvaccinated students can continue their education through virtual instruction during their exclusion period. Meanwhile, the DPH plans to post updates on the measles outbreak every two weeks and is taking steps to enhance vaccination accessibility through the implementation of mobile health clinics.
Conclusion
Local health authorities are increasingly concerned by the recent decline in childhood vaccination rates, which has contributed to the resurgence of measles—an illness that had not been a prominent health issue in the U.S. for over two decades. Parents of children at the affected schools have been notified about the outbreak and urged to keep their children, particularly those infected or exposed, at home to prevent further transmission of the virus.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Additional Resources
- WIS TV: Health Officials Confirm Schools Linked to SC Measles Outbreak
- Wikipedia: Measles
- SC Daily Gazette: 150 Spartanburg County Students Quarantined
- Google Search: Measles Outbreak South Carolina
- NBC News: Measles Students Quarantined in South Carolina
- Google Scholar: Measles Vaccination Rates South Carolina
- The State: South Carolina Measles Outbreak
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Measles
Author: STAFF HERE GREENVILLE
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