On Oct. 2, 2025, the South Carolina Department of Public Health )DPH) has confirms a measles outbreak in Upstate Region. 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. As of Oct. 7, 2025, DPH is reporting 10 cases of measles, eight in Spartanburg County, since July 9.

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. We have seen measles spread quickly in unvaccinated households here in South Carolina. We also know that it can spread quickly in unvaccinated communities based on outbreaks in other states. 

Most people recover from measles completely on their own. For uncomplicated cases, bed rest, drinking plenty of fluids and over-the-counter medications to reduce the fever and headache may help make infected individuals more comfortable. For those who require hospitalization, supportive care is the only treatment.