By admin 
The CDC recently released its latest update on measles cases in the U.S. for 2026, and it seems years of progress have been reversed.
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Measles was officially declared eliminated in 2000, and the illness hasn’t been common in the United States for more than two decades. However, in the past two years, there have been dozens of new outbreaks, and cases have surged.
As of Thursday, 4,080 measles cases were confirmed in the U.S. so far this year. For the full year of 2025, there were 2,289 confirmed measles cases in the U.S.
In South Carolina, the number of cases is especially troubling. Here’s everything to know about measles and how SC has one of the highest numbers of measles cases in the U.S. in 2026.
What is measles?
Measles, also known as rubeola, is an illness caused by a virus that is easily spread through the air and settles on surfaces. It usually causes a distinct rash, fever and cough.
It is so highly contagious that approximately 90 percent of people exposed to measles who are not immune to the virus will develop a measles infection.
Most people recover from the illness in about 10 days, and it doesn’t usually cause any long-term medical issues. However, it can turn serious and even deadly, especially for children younger than 5 years old who have weakened immune systems.
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Here are some of the symptoms of measles:
- Fever, which may be as high as 105 degrees Fahrenheit
- Dry cough
- Runny nose
- Red, watering eyes, called conjunctivitis
- Rash (breaks out 3-5 days after symptoms start)
Measles case count in SC
SC dealt with a measles outbreak centered in the Upstate at the beginning of this year that left hundreds of people sick. Since the start of 2026, SC has had 670 known cases and is the state with the second-highest number of measles cases in the U.S.
The estimated percentage of people in SC who are vaccinated is around 93%. No deaths were reported from this outbreak.
Pennsylvania is currently dealing with a worsening measles outbreak and is the state with the most measles cases this year.
How can I stay protected?
The best way to stay protected against measles is with the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, according to the . It’s standard to receive this vaccination as a child, but it’s never too late to get it.
The MMR vaccine protects you, the people around you and your community. If you’re currently in the midst of a measles outbreak and you’re not vaccinated, consider staying at home or away from crowded areas until measles cases in the area decrease.
If you think that you or someone in your family has measles, stay away from others and call a healthcare provider, urgent care or the emergency room.
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