Measles outbreak in South Carolina State health officials reported Friday that the number of cases had risen to 15, a slight increase from a few days ago.
The new cases are among those who were exposed to the virus at school, but developed symptoms in quarantine. It is not known whether they are adults or children, but 139 students currently remain in quarantine in the state.
“We are fortunate that those we have identified as exposed to measles are adhering to our guidance to quarantine for the period during which they cannot expose others,” Dr. Linda Bell, South Carolina’s state epidemiologist, said in a statement to NBC News.
Those who have not been vaccinated against measles are advised to stay home away from others to quarantine for 21 days. That’s how long it can take for measles symptoms — high temperature, red eyes and rash — to appear after exposure.
“We recognize that quarantine is challenging for families and communities, and we continue to strongly encourage vaccination, which would make quarantine unnecessary due to the decades-proven effectiveness of the MMR vaccine,” Bell said, referring to the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine.
As measles continues to emerge in some areas of the United States, the possibility of exposure to the highly contagious virus remains. at least 1,596 measles cases It’s confirmed in 2025, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data, but it’s unclear how many people have been asked to quarantine.
In Ohio, where five cases were reported in the central part of the state over the past two and a half weeks, quarantine for 122 people was expected to end on Friday. A 1-year-old boy had to be hospitalized for several days after contracting pneumonia.
Quarantine disruptions lead to some decline in affected communities.
“For many in our community, they are frustrated, saying, ‘Why aren’t you vaccinating your kids?’” Dr. Mysheka Roberts, health commissioner in Columbus, Ohio, said in an interview. Exposure to measles, including a case at an early childhood education center late last month, resulted in a 21-day quarantine, she said.
“When you make the decision not to vaccinate your child or delay vaccination, you’re not just impacting your child and your family. You can impact this entire community,” Roberts said. “It’s a ripple effect that I don’t think the average person making this decision understands.”
In Minneapolis-St. Poole District 118 children have now returned to school after an outbreak of 20 measles cases. Their quarantine ended Wednesday, according to a Minnesota Department of Health spokesperson.
However, public health officials are preparing for future outbreaks.
“We do expect more cases to occur,” Bell said during a press conference on Thursday. “The measles virus will not be contained within schools, within school districts, or across county lines.”
“My concern is that this will continue to happen, that this will be our new normal,” Roberts said.
Children given the MMR vaccine do not have to quarantine if they are exposed to it. Two doses, given at about 1 year of age and again at about 5 years of age, are 97% effective in preventing measles infection, according to the report. Center for Disease Control.