DPH reports 99 new measles cases in the Upstate
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO)– The Department of Public Health says there are 99 new cases of measles in the state since Tuesday, Jan. 6.
The new cases bring the total number of cases in South Carolina related to the Upstate outbreak to 310.
The outbreak remains centered around Spartanburg County with most cases located there, according to the SC Dept. of Public Health.
There are currently 200 people in quarantine and nine in isolation.
“The number of those in quarantine does not reflect the number actually exposed,” states Dr. Linda Bell, state epidemiologist and DPH’s incident commander for the measles outbreak. “An increasing number of public exposure sites are being identified with likely hundreds more people exposed who are not aware they should be in quarantine if they are not immune to measles. Previous measles transmission studies have shown that one measles case can result in up to 20 new infections among unvaccinated contacts.”
DPH has identified new public exposures at Jesse S. Bobo Elementary and began notifying potentially exposed students, faculty and staff on Dec. 30.
Students from Jesse S. Bobo Elementary, Sugar Ridge Elementary, and Boiling Springs Elementary who quarantine successfully without becoming ill are scheduled to be able to return to classes Jan. 10.
DPH sent a statewide Health Alert on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, advising health care providers and facilities of the importance of heightened awareness for measles and recommended measures for the use of masks and rapid isolation of suspect measles cases to protect people in health care settings from exposures.
A person with measles is contagious from four days before the rash appears, so measles may not be suspected.
Therefore, it is very important for those with mild illness or those who are in quarantine to stay home to protect others from possible measles spread, says DPH.
Employers are encouraged to support workers in following DPH recommendations to stay out of work while ill or in quarantine which also protects businesses, other workers, and clients.
To stay up-to-date on the latest measles outbreak information, visit the South Carolina Department of Public Health’s webpage here.
