SC measles outbreak surges with over 100 new cases in a few days. Here’s where

South Carolina continues to experience a worsening outbreak of measles, three months since it started in the Upstate.

The South Carolina Department of Public Health reported on Friday an additional 124 cases of measles in the Upstate, which brings the total number of cases to 558.

The outbreak remains centered in Spartanburg County, with most cases located there. There are 531 people in quarantine and 85 people in isolation.

People that got measles were most likely not vaccinated. Out of all the cases, a total of 483 individuals were unvaccinated, six partially vaccinated with one of the recommended two-dose MMR sequence, 13 vaccinated, and 56 unknown.

What Prisma Health doctors had to say

During a Friday Zoom meeting, a panel of Prisma Health doctors spoke with media about the current measles outbreak. Here were some key takeaways:

Dr. Stuart Simko, a Prisma Health pediatrician in Greer, said that vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent the spread of measles.

“One of the things that we’ve really worked hard to do is talking to patients about vaccines ... because we know that vaccinations are really the best way to prevent measles,” Simko said. “As contagious as measles is, once you start with an outbreak, it kind of just snowballs on you.”

Simko has had five measles cases with children so far. He said that his patients look extremely sick, with high fevers and rashes.

“This is kind of a different level, where they just look exceptionally run down,” Simko said. “I know those numbers are going to rise, sadly, and most pediatricians have never seen measles.”

Dr. Helmut Albrecht, a Prisma Health infectious disease physician, said that measles can be just as concerning for adults and even be deadly.

“Adults get measles and actually behave less good than some kids,” Albrecht said. “If you have complicated measles ... and have other complications, mortality jumps dramatically to 15%. It’s not just a red spot disease that you can make fun of. This kills people pretty regularly, especially if you don’t have immunity.”

“This outbreak is still mostly [affecting] kids, but we have 20% of the outbreak happening in adults, and we’re very worried about them,” he continued. “We have, right now, the biggest outbreak of measles in the U.S., and it’s going to be worse before it gets better.

Dr. Robin LaCroix, a Prisma Health infectious disease pediatrician, said a huge concern is how easily measles can be spread. It’s more contagious than COVID-1 9 and can last in a room for hours.

“This virus is extraordinarily contagious,” she said. “Numbers began in very small numbers, and now, every four days, we’re looking at hundreds more children infected. Each person that’s infected has the potential to infect 12 other people.”

According to LaCroix, administering the measles vaccine within 72 hours of exposure can effectively neutralize the virus, potentially preventing both the illness and the need for quarantine.

Here are where the public measles exposures occurred:

Schools with measles exposure

• Holly Springs-Motlow Elementary (53 students in quarantine)
• Campobello Graming School (46 students in quarantine)
• Crestview Elementary (22 students in quarantine)
• Libertas Academy (15 students in quarantine)
• Fairforest Elementary (14 students in quarantine)
• Berry Shoals Elementary (14 students in quarantine)
• Oakland Elementary (6 students in quarantine)
• Mabry Middle School (6 students in quarantine)
• Landrum High School (5 students in quarantine)

Locations also exposed to measles

• Walmart at 203 Cedar Springs Road, Spartanburg, S.C. on Saturday, Jan. 3 from 5 to 8 p.m.
• Wash Depot at 2177 S. Pine Street, Spartanburg, S.C. on Saturday, Jan. 3 from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 4
• Bintime Spartanburg at 445 S. Blackstock Road, Spartanburg, S.C. on Wednesday, Jan. 7 from 4 to 7:15 p.m.
• South Carolina State Museum at 301 Gervais Street, Columbia, S.C. on Friday, Jan. 2 from 1 to 5 p.m.

After 21 days since the exposure occurred, there is no more risk of getting measles.

To look at the current measles situation, click here.

This story was originally published January 16, 2026 at 4:48 PM with the headline "SC measles outbreak surges with over 100 new cases in a few days. Here’s where."