The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) is reporting  20 new cases of measles in the state since Friday, bringing the total number of cases in South Carolina related to the Upstate outbreak to 176 and the total number reported to DPH this year to 179.Seven of the new cases were known household exposures, five resulted from a previously reported school exposure, two resulted from an exposure at church, and one resulted from an exposure at either school or church. The sources of four cases are unknown, and one is still being investigated.There are currently 287 people in quarantine and two in isolation. The latest end of quarantine for these is Jan. 21.Although complications from measles are not reportable, DPH is reporting that three people, including adults and children, with measles required hospitalization for complications of the disease. To protect privacy, DPH does not provide personal details or specifics of the clinical status of cases. DPH encourages those potentially exposed to notify a health care provider of a possible measles exposure before seeking care to allow arrangements to be made in clinical settings to protect others as clinical sites have also been settings of public exposures.A person with measles is contagious from four days before the rash appears through four days after its onset, meaning people with mild symptoms can spread measles before they know they have the disease. To help stop the spread of measles, it is very important for those who have even mild illness or are in quarantine to stay home to protect others. We encourage employers to support workers in following DPH recommendations to stay out of work while ill or in quarantine which also protects businesses, other workers and clients. Health officials said vaccination continues to be the best way to prevent measles and stop this outbreak. Vaccines are also available at many primary care provider offices and pharmacies, as well as DPH Health Departments.Any community partners or organizations interested in scheduling a vaccination event from DPH’s Mobile Health Unit can request a visit to their location by completing this form on our website.Outbreak Data PointsAge breakdown of 176 cases:Under 5: 365-17: 11918+: 15Minors under 18 (age undisclosed): 6Vaccination status:165 unvaccinated, 4 partially vaccinated with one of the recommended two-dose MMR sequence, 1 vaccinated, 4 unknown, and two still being investigated.

SPARTANBURG, S.C. —

The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) is reporting  20 new cases of measles in the state since Friday, bringing the total number of cases in South Carolina related to the Upstate outbreak to 176 and the total number reported to DPH this year to 179.

Seven of the new cases were known household exposures, five resulted from a previously reported school exposure, two resulted from an exposure at church, and one resulted from an exposure at either school or church. The sources of four cases are unknown, and one is still being investigated.

There are currently 287 people in quarantine and two in isolation. The latest end of quarantine for these is Jan. 21.

Although complications from measles are not reportable, DPH is reporting that three people, including adults and children, with measles required hospitalization for complications of the disease. To protect privacy, DPH does not provide personal details or specifics of the clinical status of cases.

DPH encourages those potentially exposed to notify a health care provider of a possible measles exposure before seeking care to allow arrangements to be made in clinical settings to protect others as clinical sites have also been settings of public exposures.

A person with measles is contagious from four days before the rash appears through four days after its onset, meaning people with mild symptoms can spread measles before they know they have the disease. To help stop the spread of measles, it is very important for those who have even mild illness or are in quarantine to stay home to protect others. We encourage employers to support workers in following DPH recommendations to stay out of work while ill or in quarantine which also protects businesses, other workers and clients.

Health officials said vaccination continues to be the best way to prevent measles and stop this outbreak. Vaccines are also available at many primary care provider offices and pharmacies, as well as DPH Health Departments.

Any community partners or organizations interested in scheduling a vaccination event from DPH’s Mobile Health Unit can request a visit to their location by completing this form on our website.

Outbreak Data Points
Age breakdown of 176 cases:
Under 5: 36
5-17: 119
18+: 15
Minors under 18 (age undisclosed): 6

Vaccination status:
165 unvaccinated, 4 partially vaccinated with one of the recommended two-dose MMR sequence, 1 vaccinated, 4 unknown, and two still being investigated.