Public health officials across the Carolinas are on high alert as a significant measles outbreak continues to escalate. The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed 44 new cases today, bringing the state’s total to 920. Meanwhile, North Carolina health leaders are sounding the alarm as the virus crosses the border, resulting in the state’s first hospitalization during this surge.
South Carolina: Upstate Outbreak Hits Record Levels
The current outbreak is centered in the Upstate region, primarily Spartanburg County. With 920 confirmed cases, the DPH is managing a massive public health response, including the monitoring of 277 individuals currently in quarantine.
Key Outbreak Data (South Carolina):
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Total Cases: 920
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Vaccination Status: 840 of the 920 cases (over 91%) occurred in unvaccinated individuals.
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Age Impact: Children remain the most vulnerable, with 243 cases in children under 5 and 583 cases in the 5–17 age group.
Recent Exposure Alerts
Health officials have identified several high-traffic locations where the public may have been exposed to the virus. If you were at the following locations during these times, officials advise monitoring for symptoms through the dates listed:
| Location | Date & Time | Watch Symptoms Through |
| Target (Taylors, SC) | Jan. 30, 8:00 p.m. – 10:15 p.m. | Feb. 20 |
| Rick Erwin’s Level 10 (Spartanburg) | Jan. 29, 7:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. | Feb. 19 |
| Boost Mobile (Spartanburg) | Jan. 29, 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Feb. 19 |
| Social Security Admin (Spartanburg) | Jan. 29, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Feb. 19 |
North Carolina: Virus Spreads Across the Border
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) has confirmed that the outbreak has now officially reached the Tar Heel state. As of early February, 15 cases have been identified in North Carolina residents, with the majority of these cases linked directly to travel from the South Carolina Upstate.
The Situation in NC:
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First Hospitalization: This week, NCDHHS reported the first measles-related hospitalization of the 2026 surge.
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Geography: While cases have been reported in half a dozen counties, Buncombe County has seen the most significant activity, including exposures at a Food Lion in Candler and the Mission Hospital emergency room.
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Demographics: Similar to South Carolina, nearly all North Carolina cases involve children under 18.
“Measles is not a disease of the past—it is still present in our state,” warned Dr. Kelly Kimple, NCDHHS Director of the Division of Public Health. The state is now utilizing emergency text alerts to notify residents who may have been exposed in public spaces.
Vaccination: The Best Defense
Despite the rising numbers, health officials are encouraged by a massive spike in vaccination rates. In January 2026 alone, South Carolina saw a 72% increase in MMR vaccine doses administered statewide compared to the previous year. In Spartanburg County, that increase was a staggering 162%.
Upcoming Free Vaccination Clinics (Upstate SC):
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Friday, Feb. 13: Zion Hill Baptist Church, Inman (10 a.m. – 2 p.m.)
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Friday, March 3: Grace Community Church, Spartanburg (10 a.m. – 2 p.m.)
Symptoms to Watch For:
Measles is highly contagious and can linger in the air for up to two hours. Symptoms usually appear 7 to 14 days after exposure and include high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes, followed by a characteristic red, blotchy rash.
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