Three new measles cases have been confirmed in the Upstate outbreak and the public is being warned of a potential exposure at the Spartanburg County Treasurer’s office, the state Department of Public Health announced Nov. 25.
The potential public exposure happened during business hours Nov. 17 or 18 at the treasurer’s office, located at 366 N. Church St. in Spartanburg. DPH is cautioning anyone who was at that location on those dates and who does not have immunity to measles from vaccination or a previous infection to monitor for symptoms through Dec. 9.
If symptoms occur, the person should notify their health care provider and report they may have been exposed. Symptoms typically begin 7-12 days — but up to 21 days — after exposure, and start with a cough, runny nose, and red eyes, along with a mild to moderate fever.
The total number of confirmed measles cases in the Upstate outbreak is now 55, with nearly all of them occurring in Spartanburg County.
In a media briefing Nov. 25, State Epidemiologist Linda Bell said more measles cases are likely, especially following suspected public exposures at the Spartanburg County treasurer’s office, Greenville-Spartanburg Airport Nov. 10 and 11, and Nov. 9 and 10 at Way of Truth Church in Inman.
Of the three new cases reported this week, two were household members of known cases while the third was the result of unknown community transmission that is still under investigation.
According to DPH, there are now 136 people in quarantine and two in isolation. Most of the quarantine cases involve students attending the following schools:
- Lyman Elementary School — 57 cases
- Boiling Springs Middle School — 52 cases
- D.R. Hill Middle school — 1 case
DPH reports it has notified all faculty, staff, students and parents at the impacted schools. Students from those schools who quarantine successfully without developing symptoms are scheduled to be able to return to classes Nov. 29.
For more information, visit dph.sc.gov/diseases-conditions/infectious-diseases/viruses-parasites-bacterial-infections/measles-rubeola.
