Measles Outbreak Prompts School Quarantines as US Cases Surge to 33-Year High
Spartanburg, SC – Over 150 students in South carolina have been quarantined following confirmed measles cases linked to two schools in Spartanburg County: Global Academy of South Carolina and Fairforest Elementary.The quarantines come as the United States experiences a notable rise in measles cases, reaching levels not seen in 33 years.
The South Carolina Department of public Health reported its eighth confirmed case in two weeks on Thursday, located in Greenville County. Officials state this indicates “active, unrecognized community transmission of measles occurring in the Upstate,” emphasizing the critical need for public vaccination.
Measles, a highly contagious disease, can lead to severe complications including pneumonia, brain swelling, and even death. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports the MMR vaccine is 97% effective against measles, as well as mumps and rubella.
Outbreaks are not limited to South Carolina. Utah has reported 55 cases, and Arizona has seen 63. Earlier this year, a large outbreak in west Texas and New Mexico resulted in the deaths of two Texans and one New Mexico resident – the first measles-related deaths in the US since 2015. A majority of reported cases involve individuals who are unvaccinated.
cases are also rising north of the border. Canada has logged 5,024 measles cases, exceeding the number reported in the US despite having a considerably smaller population. This surge has prompted questions regarding containment efforts.
While the increase in US cases has been partially attributed to vaccine hesitancy and figures like Health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Canada does not have a comparable prominent public health voice questioning vaccine efficacy.
Globally, UNICEF reports measles cases are spiking, with outbreaks occurring in 100 countries over the past five years. The resurgence underscores the ongoing threat posed by this preventable disease and the importance of widespread vaccination.
