Measles outbreak in South Carolina the number of cases rose to 15, state health officials said Friday, a slight increase from a few days earlier.
The new cases are among those who were exposed to the virus at school but developed the virus. symptoms in quarantine. It is unknown whether they are adults or children, but 139 students are currently still in quarantine in the state.
“We are fortunate that those we have identified as having measles are following our quarantine recommendations for a period of time where they cannot infect others,” Dr. Linda Bell, an epidemiologist in South Carolina, said in a statement to NBC News.
Those who have not been vaccinated against measles are advised to remain at home away from others for a 21-day quarantine. This is how long it can take for measles symptoms to appear after infection – high fever, red eyes and a rash.
“We understand that quarantine is challenging for families and communities, and we continue to strongly recommend vaccinations that will make quarantine unnecessary due to the decades-long proven effectiveness of the MMR vaccine,” Bell said, referring to the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine.
As measles continues to emerge in some areas of the United States, the possibility of exposure to this highly contagious virus remains. At least 1596 cases of measles were confirmed in 2025, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but it is unclear how many people have been quarantined.
In Ohio, which has reported five cases in the central part of the state over the past two and a half weeks, quarantine for 122 people was expected to end on Friday. A one-year-old child had to be hospitalized for several days after developing pneumonia.
Quarantine disruptions are causing some resentment in affected communities.
“Many in our community are frustrated and asking, 'Why don't you just vaccinate your child?' Dr. Misheika Roberts, health commissioner of Columbus, Ohio, said in an interview. According to her, measles infection, including at a preschool education center late last month, triggered a 21-day quarantine.
“When you make a decision not to vaccinate your child or to delay vaccination, you don't just impact your child and your family. You can impact this entire community,” Roberts said. “It’s a ripple effect that I don’t think the average person making this decision understands.”
IN Minneapolis-St. Floor area118 children have now returned to school after being exposed to an outbreak of 20 measles cases. Their quarantine ended Wednesday, according to a Minnesota Department of Health spokesman.
Still, public health officials are preparing for future outbreaks.
“We actually expect that there could be more cases,” Bell said at a media briefing Thursday. “The measles virus will not be contained to schools, school districts or counties.”
“My concern is that this will continue, that this will become our new normal,” Roberts said.
Children who have received the MMR vaccine do not need to be quarantined if they become infected. Two doses given at around 1 year of age and again at age 5 are 97% effective in preventing measles infection, according to the study. CDC.
