COLUMBIA, S.C. — Health officials are sounding the alarm as the measles outbreak in the South Carolina Upstate shows no signs of slowing. In a Friday update, the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed 124 new cases since earlier this week, bringing the total number of infections to 558.
The outbreak remains heavily concentrated in Spartanburg County, where the rapid spread has forced hundreds into isolation and quarantine. As of January 16, 2026, 85 individuals are currently in isolation, while another 531 people are in quarantine.
Schools and Children Hit Hardest
The latest data highlights a concerning trend: the vast majority of those infected are school-aged children. Of the 558 total cases, 372 are between the ages of 5 and 17, and 134 are under the age of five.
Several Upstate schools have now reported significant exposures, leading to a wave of student quarantines:
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Holly Springs-Motlow Elementary: 53 students
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Campobello Gramling School: 46 students
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Crestview Elementary: 22 students
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Libertas Academy: 15 students
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Fairforest & Berry Shoals Elementary: 14 students each
Other schools impacted include Oakland Elementary, Mabry Middle, and Landrum High School.
New Public Exposure Sites Identified
DPH has released a list of public locations where individuals were present while infectious. If you visited these locations during the specified times, health officials urge you to monitor for symptoms:
| Location | Address | Date/Time of Exposure |
| Walmart | 203 Cedar Springs Rd, Spartanburg | Jan. 3 (5 p.m. – 8 p.m.) |
| Wash Depot | 2177 S. Pine St, Spartanburg | Jan. 3 – Jan. 4 (9 p.m. – 1 a.m.) |
| Bintime Spartanburg | 445 S. Blackstock Rd, Spartanburg | Jan. 7 (4 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.) |
Symptoms and Vaccination Status
The DPH notes that of the 558 cases, 483 individuals were completely unvaccinated. Only 13 cases occurred in fully vaccinated individuals, underscoring the effectiveness of the MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) vaccine.
Common symptoms to watch for include:
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High fever (101F or higher)
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Cough and runny nose
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Red, watery eyes
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A characteristic rash that starts on the face and spreads downward.
IMPORTANT: If you suspect you have been exposed and develop symptoms, call your doctor first. Do not walk into a clinic or emergency room without notifying them, as this puts other patients at risk.
Moving Forward
The DPH has launched a dedicated measles outbreak webpage to provide real-time updates on public exposures. Health officials continue to stress that vaccination remains the primary defense against the virus. Vaccines are currently available at local pharmacies, primary care offices, and DPH health departments.
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