South Carolina measles outbreak hits 111 cases
South Carolina’s Department of Health said Wednesday the Spartanburg County measles outbreak has reached 111 confirmed cases since first reported Oct. 2, prompting 254 people to quarantine and 16 to isolate. Officials identified exposure at Inman Intermediate School—where 43 students are quarantined—and eight other area schools, noted 105 of the cases are unvaccinated, and warned evidence of community spread alongside some travel‑related cases.
📌 Key Facts
- DPH reports 111 confirmed measles cases tied to a Spartanburg County outbreak.
- 254 people are quarantined and 16 are in isolation; 105 of the 111 cases are unvaccinated.
- Exposure identified at Inman Intermediate School (43 students quarantined) and eight other schools; outbreak first reported Oct. 2.
📊 Relevant Data
In Spartanburg County, South Carolina, the population is 74.1% White alone, 20.0% Black alone, 0.5% American Indian and Alaska Native alone, 2.7% Asian alone, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, and 2.6% two or more races, with 7.3% Hispanic or Latino as of the latest U.S. Census Bureau data.
U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Spartanburg County, South Carolina — U.S. Census Bureau
Nationally, child MMR vaccine rates are 81.2% for children of White parents compared to 57.4% for children of Black parents.
Parental Factors Associated With Measles–Mumps–Rubella Vaccination Coverage in US Children: A Secondary Analysis of NIS-Child Data, 2016–2020 — American Journal of Public Health
Black, Hispanic, American Indian and Alaskan Native children born in 2019-2020 had lower routine vaccine coverage than White children in the United States.
Routine Child Vaccination Rates Lower Than Pre-Pandemic Levels — National Conference of State Legislatures
In South Carolina, characteristics significantly associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy include Black race.
Determinants of COVID-19 Vaccinations among a State-Wide Year-Long Surveillance Initiative in a Conservative Southern State — ResearchGate