South Carolina Measles Cases Surge to 997

State health officials warn outbreak could last weeks or months amid low vaccine uptake.

Mar. 18, 2026 at 12:00am

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Measles cases in South Carolina have surged to 997, according to state health data, including one additional infection since Friday. Officials have warned the widening outbreak could last weeks or months amid lagging vaccine uptake, with the majority of cases in unvaccinated children.

Why it matters

This outbreak highlights the ongoing public health challenges posed by low vaccination rates, especially among school-aged children. Measles is a highly contagious disease that can lead to serious complications, underscoring the importance of maintaining high community immunity through widespread vaccination.

The details

Of the 997 cases, 932 were in unvaccinated individuals, 20 were partially vaccinated, 26 were fully vaccinated, and 19 had unknown vaccination status. The outbreak has been centered in the northwest part of the state, including Greenville and Spartanburg. South Carolina is receiving help from the CDC Foundation to manage what is now the nation's largest measles outbreak in over 30 years.

  • As of March 12, 2026, 1,362 measles cases were reported in the United States.
  • The outbreak in South Carolina began in October 2025.

The players

South Carolina Department of Health

The state health agency managing the measles outbreak response.

CDC Foundation

A nonprofit organization providing support to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which has sent a dozen infectious disease specialists to help South Carolina manage the outbreak.

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What’s next

The state health department is continuing to work with the CDC Foundation to contain the outbreak, which could last for several more weeks or months.

The takeaway

This measles outbreak in South Carolina underscores the critical importance of maintaining high vaccination rates in communities to prevent the spread of highly contagious diseases and protect vulnerable populations.