DPH: 8 new cases added to SC measles outbreak

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO)– The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) says there have been 8 new cases of measles confirmed in Spartanburg County since Friday.

The new cases brings the total to 33 this year, and the current amount to 30 in the Upstate.

All eight new cases were linked to close contacts of known cases who had been quarantining at home, said SCDPH officials.

In response to the ongoing measles outbreak, the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) has activated a mobile health unit to deploy to the following locations this coming week to offer measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine to unvaccinated individuals at no cost.

Locations:

•    Thursday, Oct. 30: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. at Inman Library, 50 Mill St., Inman, SC 29349
•    Monday, Nov. 3: 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. at Boiling Springs Library, 871 Double Bridge Rd., Boiling Springs, S.C. 29316
•    Wednesday, Nov. 5: 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Boiling Springs Library, 871 Double Bridge Rd., Boiling Springs, S.C. 29316
•    Thursday, Nov. 6: 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Boiling Springs Library, 871 Double Bridge Rd., Boiling Springs, S.C. 29316

Health officials say since being deployed the beginning of Oct. 16, the mobile health unit has administered 24 vaccines total, with it being 19 adults, and 5 children.

People are encouraged to get the measles vaccine which is over 97% effective at preventing infection.