South Carolina’s vast measles outbreak is finally showing signs of slowing, with the total number of cases in the state approaching 1,000.
The state has seen a downward trend in fresh infections for several weeks, recording about 10 cases a week. At its peak in mid-January, the state was reporting about 200 fresh cases per week.
According to WHO data, the measles outbreak in South Carolina is the largest measles outbreak in the US in over 30 years. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As of March 5, the CDC has confirmed 1,281 cases of measles nationwide this year. This is more than half of the documented cases in 2025, which totaled 2,283.
Measles was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, a status achieved when there had been no infection in the country for more than one year. Even with the decline in cases in South Carolina, the United States is now at risk of losing measles elimination status. According to the CDC, there have been 12 outbreaks of the disease in the U.S. this year, including in Arizona, Texas and Utah.
Linda Bell, South Carolina’s state epidemiologist, is encouraged by the decline in fresh cases in her state, but notes that with schools on spring break in March and April, there is the potential for greater exposure as families travel and visit tourist attractions.
“We remain concerned and must be mindful of the fact that we may see a renewed increase in cases compared to the low numbers we are currently seeing,” she said at a press conference on March 4. “We very much hope that the downward trend will continue, but we must remain vigilant due to the risk of another surge.”
The outbreak began with a few cases in October and was centered in Spartanburg County. Low vaccination rates in schools helped spread the virus, and community events over the winter break contributed to a spike in cases in January. Churches are also a major source of exposure, according to Bell.
Symptoms of measles, which include high fever, cough, runny nose and watery eyes, usually do not appear until one to two weeks after exposure. The characteristic measles rash develops over the next several days, which contributes to delays in the diagnosis of the infection. Measles can cause sedate complications such as pneumonia and cerebral edema, which have been documented in South Carolina. More than 93 percent of cases in South Carolina occurred in unvaccinated people. The immense majority of infections occurred in children under 18 years of age.
Bell said modeling done earlier in the epidemic showed the outbreak in South Carolina could last six months or longer. Now it may end sooner than expected.
The outbreak has resulted in an augment in measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccinations in Spartanburg County and across the state. According to the South Carolina Department of Public Health, measles vaccinations in Spartanburg County have increased by 133% compared to February 2025, representing approximately 900 additional doses. An additional 7,000 doses of measles vaccine were administered statewide in February, a 70 percent augment over the same time last year.