On Oct. 22, 2025, the South Carolina Department of Public Health (SCDPH) announced it is actively responding to a measles outbreak in the Upstate region. To date, the DPH is reporting 23 cases of measles since July 9, 20 centered around Spartanburg County in the current outbreak. All confirmed cases have been in unvaccinated individuals.

DPH confirmed a measles outbreak in Upstate region on October 2, 2025. An outbreak is defined as three or more cases of the same infectious disease linked to a common exposure. There has been a rise in measles cases in the Upstate this year, with most concentrated in Spartanburg County. 

Some cases are travel-related exposures or close contacts of known cases. Other cases have no identified source, suggesting that measles is circulating in the community and could spread further.

A person is contagious four days before and after a rash begins, meaning someone can spread measles before they know they are infected. The virus can linger in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves.

The measles vaccine (MMR and MMRV) is the best way to protect yourself and others against measles. Use the DPH Recommendations for Measles Vaccination chart to understand if you need to be vaccinated or not.