DPH reports no new measles cases as South Carolina outbreak nears end

11 articles · Updated · South Carolina Public Radio · Apr 21

The Department of Public Health confirmed 997 outbreak-related cases, with the last new case reported on March 17 and most cases in Spartanburg County.
Increased MMR vaccination rates in January and February helped slow the outbreak, which could be declared over after 42 days without new cases, potentially by April 26.
A separate travel-related case in Saluda County does not affect the outbreak's end, while nationwide measles cases continue to rise, with 1,748 cases reported across 19 outbreaks this year.

As the U.S. nears losing its measles-free status, how prepared is it for the next pandemic?

How will South Carolina manage the over $100 million economic fallout from its massive measles outbreak?

Are decades-old CDC exposure guidelines for measles still effective in modern airports and schools?

What are the unseen, long-term health consequences for the hundreds of children who survived this outbreak?

Beyond vaccination drives, how can public health agencies effectively rebuild community trust to prevent future outbreaks?