After ending 2025 with 2,255 confirmed measles cases in the United States, with many more likely unconfirmed, the media headlines about measles can become numbing. But we need to pay attention and ensure that patients are aware as well, particularly if they will be traveling with susceptible family members. For this reason, we wanted to highlight the extent of the measles outbreak in South Carolina, which reached 700 cases as of Jan. 23. At that time, almost 500 people were in quarantine, and students across 20 schools had been impacted. Further, additional cases had been identified at two of the region’s universities and local grocery stores.
Most of the cases have been among children between 5 and17 years old, and the vast majority have been unvaccinated.
What about the rest of the country? While multiple tracking tools exist to monitor outbreaks, a new tool from ABC News identifies areas of risk for measles based on vaccination rates. Measles outbreaks are hyperlocal, so providing risk by zip code can help raise awareness of the potential for outbreaks while also highlighting areas where immunization efforts should be focused.
Measles is not a disease of the past — and the ongoing outbreaks throughout the country are a reminder of what happens when we stop using tools that work. Measles outbreaks will end when vaccination rates rise; we can’t become complacent with outbreaks. Clear, confident vaccine recommendations remain one of the most powerful tools we have to protect individuals and communities.
Find out more from the South Carolina Department of Public Health.
After ending 2025 with 2,255 confirmed measles cases in the United States, with many more likely unconfirmed, the media headlines about measles can become numbing. But we need to pay attention and ensure that patients are aware as well, particularly if they will be traveling with susceptible family members. For this reason, we wanted to highlight the extent of the measles outbreak in South Carolina, which reached 700 cases as of Jan. 23. At that time, almost 500 people were in quarantine, and students across 20 schools had been impacted. Further, additional cases had been identified at two of the region’s universities and local grocery stores.
Most of the cases have been among children between 5 and17 years old, and the vast majority have been unvaccinated.
What about the rest of the country? While multiple tracking tools exist to monitor outbreaks, a new tool from ABC News identifies areas of risk for measles based on vaccination rates. Measles outbreaks are hyperlocal, so providing risk by zip code can help raise awareness of the potential for outbreaks while also highlighting areas where immunization efforts should be focused.
Measles is not a disease of the past — and the ongoing outbreaks throughout the country are a reminder of what happens when we stop using tools that work. Measles outbreaks will end when vaccination rates rise; we can’t become complacent with outbreaks. Clear, confident vaccine recommendations remain one of the most powerful tools we have to protect individuals and communities.
Find out more from the South Carolina Department of Public Health.