South Carolina's measles outbreak is over. But more are brewing around the country

Key Points:

• South Carolina public health officials declared an end to the state's largest measles outbreak since 1991 after 42 days with no new cases, following a six-month period starting last October that saw 997 infections, mostly among unvaccinated children.
• The outbreak was mainly confined to Spartanburg County, where vaccination rates were below the 95% threshold needed to prevent outbreaks, and at least 21 people were hospitalized; increased vaccination efforts helped contain the spread.
• Measles can cause severe complications, including pneumonia, brain swelling, immune amnesia, and a fatal neurological condition in young children, highlighting the disease's serious health risks.
• Despite the successful containment in South Carolina, over 20 new measles outbreaks have been reported nationwide this year, including large outbreaks in Texas, Florida, and Utah, amid declining vaccination rates across the U.S.
• Nationwide, 92.5% of kindergartners received the measles vaccine in the 2024-2025 school year, but lower rates in many communities continue to create conditions conducive to outbreaks, with experts warning that a single case can trigger widespread transmission.