The South Carolina Department of Public Health reported 14 new cases of measles on Dec. 2, bringing the total number of cases in the Upstate outbreak to 76.
The new cases bring the statewide total this year to 79.
Eight of the new cases are linked to the known public exposure at Way of Truth Church in Inman, previously reported by the health agency. According to DPH, three of the new cases were exposed in a school setting and the other three are still under investigation.
Exposures at four schools in Spartanburg County have been identified based on the new cases. DPH began notifying potentially exposed students, faculty and staff at the following schools yesterday:
- Hendrix Elementary School – 40 students in quarantine
- Marby Middle School – 13 students in quarantine
- Chapman High School – 5 students in quarantine
- Tyger River Elementary School – 17 students in quarantine
Quarantined students from those schools who do not develop symptoms are scheduled to return to classes between Dec. 11 and 15, depending on the school. Symptoms of measles include cough, fever, running nose, red eyes and a red blotchy rash. The incubation period for measles from exposure to onset can be up to 21 days.
In total, there are currently 134 individuals in quarantine and one in isolation.
DPH reported an age breakdown of the 76 confirmed measles cases associated with the Upstate outbreak:
- Under 5: 14
- 5 to 17: 49
- 18 and older: 8
- Minors under 18 (age undisclosed): 5
According to DPH, vaccinations continue to be the best way to prevent measles. The health agency reported that 69 of the confirmed cases were unvaccinated, one was partially vaccinated and one was fully vaccinated. The vaccination status of two of the cases is currently unknown, and one is still being investigated.
For more information, dph.sc.gov/diseases-conditions/infectious-diseases/measles-rubeola.
