Measles Is Causing Brain Swelling in Children in South Carolina
WIRED • • health
Key Points:
- The South Carolina measles outbreak, which began in October, has resulted in 876 cases by February 3, with 700 cases reported since the start of 2026, driven by declining vaccination rates nationwide.
- Some children affected by measles in South Carolina have developed encephalitis, a serious brain inflammation that can cause convulsions, deafness, intellectual disability, and has a 10-15% mortality rate among those affected.
- The state has recorded 19 measles-related hospitalizations, including cases of pneumonia, a leading cause of death in children with measles, and several pregnant women exposed to measles have received immune globulin to prevent complications.
- A rare, long-term complication called subacute sclerosing
