South Carolina health officials have mandated a three-week quarantine for 153 unvaccinated children following a measles outbreak at two schools in Spartanburg County. The students, who attended the Global Academy of South Carolina and Fairforest Elementary School, will remain isolated but may participate in remote learning.
The state Department of Public Health confirmed one measles case at the K-8 Global Academy and three cases at Fairforest Elementary, with the Upstate region’s outbreak beginning on September 25. Officials emphasized that measles spreads before symptoms appear, with contagious periods lasting four days prior to and after the rash develops. Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a five- to six-day rash.
State data revealed 11 total measles cases in South Carolina this year, all among unvaccinated individuals without immunity from prior infections. Spartanburg County has the state’s highest rate of religious vaccine exemptions, at approximately 6%.
Minnesota also reported similar measures, with 118 unvaccinated children placed in quarantine due to a growing outbreak. Infectious disease expert Michael Osterholm warned that such restrictions will become more frequent as communities grapple with preventable health crises.