Health officials in South Carolina reported a surge in measles cases, with the outbreak doubling in the past week to a total of 434 cases. As of Tuesday, officials confirmed 124 new cases since last Friday, following 99 new cases reported the previous Tuesday. Currently, 409 individuals are under quarantine due to the outbreak, which began in October.
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) is renewing calls for vaccination against the highly infectious measles virus. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), measles is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus that can spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Symptoms typically begin with fever, cough, runny nose, and tiny white spots inside the mouth, followed by a rash that starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body.
"Measles is a serious disease that can lead to severe complications, especially in young children and adults with weakened immune systems," a DHEC spokesperson stated. "Vaccination is the safest and most effective way to protect yourself and your community."
The health department is deploying its mobile health unit to offer free measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccinations, as well as flu vaccinations, at two locations in the Spartanburg area, identified as the epicenter of the outbreak. These vaccination clinics are scheduled for today and Thursday.
The current outbreak began in October with a more modest increase of 26 cases reported on January 6, bringing the total at that point to 211 cases. The rapid acceleration of cases in recent days has prompted increased concern among health officials. They warn that they are struggling to contain the spread despite ongoing efforts to promote vaccination and provide information to the public.
"We are working diligently to identify and isolate cases, trace contacts, and offer vaccinations to those who are not immune," the DHEC spokesperson added. "However, we need the public's cooperation to help us stop this outbreak. If you are not vaccinated, please get vaccinated. If you have symptoms of measles, please contact your healthcare provider."
The CDC recommends that children receive two doses of the MMR vaccine: the first at 12 to 15 months of age, and the second at 4 to 6 years of age. Adults who are not immune to measles should also get vaccinated. Health officials emphasize that the MMR vaccine is safe and effective, and that the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks.
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