CHARLOTTE, NC (QUEEN CITY NEWS) – South Carolina health officials say they have confirmed eight new cases of measles since October 24th. Each case resulted from close contact with previously known cases.
The state has a total of 33 for the year.
“All measles cases so far this year have been in unvaccinated individuals. We have identified one new case in a person who received only one of the two recommended doses of the MMR vaccine,” said South Carolina State Epidemiologist Dr. Linda Bell.
MORE | Mecklenburg County Urges Measles Vaccination As SC Outbreak Grows Nearby
Dr. Bell says a single dose of the MMR vaccine protects against measles by about 93 percent. Two doses provide greater protection against measles, increasing the protection rate to about 97 percent.
“Furthermore, there is no vaccine that guarantees 100 percent protection against infection. And all eight of the last reported cases were quarantined at home before they were infected. So these new cases were not isolated infections. This shows the benefits of early quarantine for those individuals, as well as exposure in protecting others from infection and preventing the spread of the disease in the population,” explained Dr.
In Spartanburg and Greenville counties, the measles outbreak began in September.
Officials say that from September 25 until October 9 eight cases were registered in this area. Two weeks later, that number had nearly tripled.
“We continue to be concerned about the potential for community transmission of measles as declining vaccination rates put other South Carolinians at risk, particularly with this outbreak of measles, which is again one of the most highly contagious diseases,” said Dr. Bell.
Mecklenburg County public health officials are now tracking cases of people traveling back and forth between the Carolinas.
“We want our residents to be vigilant. As we continue to see an increase in not only measles, but also other infections like whooping cough. We’ve had more cases of whooping cough in the last couple of years than at any time in recent history,” said Mecklenburg County Public Health Director Dr. Raynard Washington.
He says the county averages about two pertussis cases a year. But this year, that number is well over 50.
Influenza, COVID and RSV cases are also on their radar.
On Tuesday, his department approved a a positive case of tuberculosis at North Mecklenburg County High School.
“So tuberculosis is not new to Mecklenburg County, so every year we’ve had cases. We have over 50 cases of tuberculosis in our population. That’s been the case for the last few years. Over the last decade, that number has gone up,” he said.
Charlotte Mecklenburg County school officials notified those who had close contact with the individual.
“Tuberculosis, unlike flu and COVID, often doesn’t show symptoms right away and the symptoms can be very mild. That’s why we’re going to do that. Anyone who’s been exposed means they’ve had close contact with someone who’s had active TB, those people have been contacted, and then they’ll be tested by our TB control team.
The department’s tuberculosis control program works to keep the incidence of tuberculosis low.
“At the Mecklenburg County Public Health Center, we try to identify everyone who has TB, whether it’s active or latent. We provide treatment for anyone who has TB for free. Whenever there is a case, we try to find whoever they may have been exposed to and get those people under care,” explained Dr.
Top health officials across the Carolinas are urging people to get vaccinated and stay safe.
“We have tools in our toolbox to help us respond and protect people. I just encourage residents to take advantage of those benefits when we have them,” said Dr.
*Note: “Although there is a TB vaccine, we do not recommend the TB vaccine because TB is not common in the United States. Given the fact that we do not have such incidents as in other countries. People have gone to visit other countries where TB is more common, then return home from those countries and bring TB back with them. So it’s different. We can also pass on TB to the community. We’ve had a number of potential outbreaks and some professional, educational institutions, so our work at the Department of Health is really important to try to get it under control as quickly as possible. – Dr. Raynard Washington
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, transcribed or distributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports and streaming video, go to Queen City News.