South Carolina reports third measles case since July 2025

SOUTH CAROLINA (WJBF) – The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) has confirmed a case of measles in an Upstate resident. This is the third confirmed case of measles reported in South Carolina since July 2025.

According to a news release, the person is unvaccinated and did not have immunity from a previous measles infection. They do not have a specific, known exposure to someone with measles, but they did have a recent international trip to a country with an ongoing measles outbreak and were not contagious while traveling. Currently, they are isolating at home to prevent further spread of the virus.

DPH confirmed it was a positive measles case after receiving test results from its certified public health laboratory. The agency has begun a contact investigation and is notifying people who may have been exposed.

Measles can lead to hospitalization and even death. The initial symptoms of measles include fever, cough, and runny nose. These symptoms are followed by a rash. The rash usually lasts five or six days.

The virus can be spread through the air when a person with measles breathes, coughs, or sneezes. Measles virus can remain infectious in the air for up to two hours after the sick person is gone from the area. People with measles should stay home from work or school for four days after their rash first appears. It is also important for people without immunity to the virus who are exposed to measles to quarantine as instructed, because a person who is infected with measles is contagious from four days before the rash begins through four days after its onset.

Cases of Measles in South Carolina in 2025

In July, South Carolina had two confirmed cases of measles. The first case was reported, and the second case was identified later and was a known close contact of the first case. Both cases isolated to prevent community spread of measles. In September, South Carolina has one confirmed case of measles that is not associated with the July cases. It total, South Carolina has had three cases of measles in 2025 to date.

For more information about measles visit the DPH website or CDC website.