Measles Outbreaks Rise in Upstate South Carolina and Canada

Greenville, South Carolina – The measles outbreak in upstate South Carolina has grown by two more cases, raising the total to 25 in the state. Health officials reported that the new infections are linked to close contacts of previously known cases, who had been quarantined at home after being exposed at two local schools with a high number of unvaccinated students.

Of the 25 cases reported in South Carolina, 22 are part of this ongoing outbreak. Meanwhile, New York‘s Rockland County has also reported its second measles case within the past three months. Notably, Rockland was the site of a significant measles outbreak from 2018 to 2019 and has a large unvaccinated population. The recent case in Rockland is not connected to an earlier infection reported in August; the new patient developed symptoms after returning from an international trip.

Today marks one year of continuous measles transmission in Canada, a milestone that jeopardizes the country’s status of having eliminated the virus. Canada has recorded over 5,000 cases since fall 2024, more than double the total from the past 25 years. Approximately 90% of these cases are among unvaccinated individuals, prompting health officials to warn of the urgent need for improved vaccination rates to prevent further outbreaks.

Dr. Dawn Bowdish, an immunologist at McMaster University in Ontario, noted that vaccination support in Canada is stronger than in the U.S. However, misinformation and health care disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have created vulnerabilities in immunization coverage.

As outbreaks persist in both nations, the Pan American Health Organization is set to review the elimination status of several countries during its upcoming meeting in November. Losing measles elimination status could have severe public health implications, including increased risk of preventable deaths among vulnerable populations.