In a concerning development, more than 150 unvaccinated schoolchildren in South Carolina have been placed under a 21-day quarantine following exposure to measles, according to state health officials. The affected students, who attend Global Academy of South Carolina and Fairforest Elementary in Spartanburg County, were forced to miss school due to their lack of immunizations during the period of potential disease transmission. This incident marks the latest in a series of measles outbreaks across the United States, with South Carolina reporting its eighth confirmed case in two weeks in Greenville County. The state’s Department of Public Health emphasized the urgency of measles vaccinations, citing active community transmission in the Upstate region. The MMR vaccine, which is 97% effective against measles, mumps, and rubella, remains the most reliable defense against the disease, which can lead to severe complications such as pneumonia, brain swelling, and even death. Meanwhile, measles cases are also surging in Utah and Arizona, with 55 and 63 cases reported, respectively. Nationwide, the U.S. has confirmed 1,563 cases this year—the highest in over three decades, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This alarming trend follows earlier outbreaks in Texas and New Mexico, where hundreds were infected, and three fatalities occurred. The majority of cases involve unvaccinated individuals, highlighting the critical role of immunization in preventing the spread of this highly contagious disease. Globally, measles outbreaks have been reported in 100 countries over the past five years, with Canada experiencing a particularly severe surge, logging 5,024 cases—more than triple the U.S. total despite its smaller population. The situation has raised questions about the effectiveness of containment efforts and the impact of vaccine skepticism.
More than 150 schoolchildren quarantined as US measles cases hit 33-year high
