DPH confirms state’s 11th measles case in Greenville County, 8th related to current outbreak in Upstate

UPSTATE, S.C. (WOLO)– South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed on Thursday (October 9) the state’s 11th case of measles overall in South Carolina this year.

The department also confirmed the eighth case since Sept. 25 related to the ongoing measles outbreak in the Upstate.

The case is a child in Greenville County.

Officials say at this point in the investigation it is not yet clear if this new case is linked to the seven cases that are part of the current outbreak in Spartanburg County.

Previously SCDPH, says the outbreak was confirmed at two schools in the county, Global Academy of South Carolina and Fairforest Elementary.

More details will be shared as they are confirmed on the agency’s measles outbreak page, and efforts to identify potential exposures and subsequent notifications, if necessary, are underway.

Additionally, public health officials say this case tells them that there is active, unrecognized community transmission of measles occurring in the Upstate which makes it vital to ensure that the public have received their measles vaccinations.

The initial symptoms of measles include fever, cough, red eyes and runny nose.

These symptoms are followed by a rash beginning on the face then spreading to the rest of the body.

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 in a confined area such as a room, hallway or vehicle for up to two hours after the sick person is gone from the area.

Public health officials say the measles vaccine is over 97% effective at preventing infection.

For more information on measles and the outbreak in the Upstate, click here.