South Carolina Measles Outbreak Remains Stagnant at 997 Cases

Health officials report no new infections in the state's largest measles outbreak in over 20 years.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 10:02pm

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A ghostly, translucent X-ray image revealing the intricate internal structure of a measles virus particle, conceptually illustrating the public health challenges of this outbreak.An X-ray view of the measles virus highlights the challenges of controlling the highly contagious disease, especially in communities with low vaccination rates.Spartanburg Today

South Carolina's measles outbreak, which has reached 997 confirmed cases, has remained stagnant with no new infections reported, according to state health officials. The outbreak, the largest in the state in over two decades, has prompted concerns about vaccine hesitancy and the potential for the highly contagious disease to spread further.

Why it matters

The stagnation in new measles cases suggests the outbreak may be nearing its end, but the high case count underscores the challenges public health officials face in controlling the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases, especially in communities with low vaccination rates.

The details

The measles outbreak in South Carolina began in late 2025 and has since grown to nearly 1,000 confirmed cases, making it the state's largest outbreak in over 20 years. Health officials say the outbreak has been driven by pockets of vaccine hesitancy, leading to lower-than-recommended vaccination rates in some communities.

  • The measles outbreak in South Carolina began in late 2025.
  • As of April 7, 2026, the outbreak has reached 997 confirmed cases.

The players

Chandler Nash

A nurse practitioner at Parkside Health Center who has spoken about the measles outbreak and the importance of vaccination.

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What they’re saying

“Chandler Hash, a nurse practitioner at Parkside Health Center talks about measles and vaccine”

— Chandler Hash, Nurse Practitioner

What’s next

Health officials will continue to monitor the situation and work to encourage vaccination in order to declare the outbreak over, which typically requires 42 days with no new cases.

The takeaway

The stagnation in new measles cases suggests the outbreak may be nearing its end, but the high case count underscores the need for continued public health efforts to address vaccine hesitancy and ensure high vaccination rates to prevent the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases.