Measles Outbreak in South Carolina
At least 153 unvaccinated students from two schools in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, are under quarantine for 21 days due to measles exposures, according to state health officials.
The schools affected are Global Academy of South Carolina and Fairforest Elementary. The outbreak has grown to at least eight measles cases, with a total of 11 cases reported overall in the state this year.
Nationally, the US has reported at least 1,563 measles cases this year, the highest number since 1992, according to the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. There have been 44 measles outbreaks reported this year, compared to 16 outbreaks last year.
This surge in measles cases comes amid declining MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccination rates nationwide. Prior to the pandemic, over 95% of kindergarteners were vaccinated with the MMR shot, but this figure has now fallen to 92.5% in the most recent school year.
Author's summary: Measles outbreak in South Carolina affects unvaccinated students.