Measles Vaccination Amidst South Carolina Outbreak Oct. 14, 2025

Mecklenburg Co nty Public Health is encouraging providers to make sure their patients are up to date on their vaccines, especially the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine, amidst an ongoing measles outbreak in Spartanburg County, South Carolina. So far, there have been 8 confirmed cases associated with this outbreak and more than 150 unvaccinated children are in quarantine.

Last year, there was a confirmed case of measles in Mecklenburg County that was the first case of measles in North Carolina since 2018. One case of measles has been identified in North Carolina this year. Nationally, there have been more than 1,500 cases of measles and 44 outbreaks. Around 90% of unvaccinated individuals who are exposed to measles will become infected. And about one in five people in the United States who get measles will be hospitalized.  

Public health encourages healthcare providers to know the signs and symptoms of measles to isolate potential cases early and prevent further spread. The symptoms of measles include a fever, runny nose, cough, rash and red eyes. Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine remains the best protection against measles. If measles is suspected, providers should:

• Isolate the patient immediately, ideally in a single-patient airborne infection isolation room or in a private room. Patients with measles should call ahead so health care facilities can limit additional exposures, including offering measles triaging and testing outside the facility.
• Immediately notify public health: Contact the Communicable Disease team at {980)314-9201 or (704)432-0871 on call or after hours. Public Health can provide guidance on testing, isolating and managing patients with suspected measles and people exposed to measles. People exposed to measles who do not have evidence of immunity may be eligible for postexposure prophylaxis either with MMR vaccine (within 72 hours of exposure) or immunoglobulin (within six days of exposure).
• Collect samples, either a nasopharyngeal (NP) swab or throat (OP) swab for reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction testing, as well as a blood specimen for serology testing. Collecting a urine specimen along with an NP/OP swab may improve sensitivity of testing.
• Manage patients with supportive care. There is no specific antiviral therapy for measles. Medical care is supportive to help relieve symptoms. Complications, such as pneumonia and other infections, should be tested and treated appropriately. Vitamin A may be administered to patients with confirmed measles under supervision of a health care provider. Overuse of vitamin A can lead to toxicity and cause damage to the liver, bones, central nervous system and skin. 

Children should receive two doses of the MMR vaccine - the first dose at 12 through 15 months of age and the second dose 4 through 6 years of age. One dose of the vaccine is 93% effective at preventing measles and two doses is 97% effective. In the event of a measles exposure, if a child is unvaccinated or hasn't had measles before, they may be excluded from school for 21 days or longer to prevent further spread and ensure safety. 

If you have questions about measles, please contact MCPH Communicable Disease at (980)314-9201.