Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease that spreads through the air by way of coughing and sneezing. It can lead to hospitalization and even death. Vaccination is the best way to prevent the measles. For more details about measles visit the DHEC measles webpage or the CDC Website.

Updates

October 28, 2018

• DHEC received a report of a possible measles case in a Spartanburg County resident who had recently traveled outside of the U.S.

October 29, 2018

• DHEC confirmed the case to be measles through results from its certified public health laboratory.
• The agency began a contact investigation to identify and notify people who might have been exposed.

October 30, 2018

• DHEC announced the case to the public.
• Healthcare providers were notified through a DHEC Health Alert to watch for patients with signs or symptoms of measles and urged to report clinically suspected measles cases to their regional DHEC public health offices.

November 1, 2018

• DHEC offered free measles vaccines to Spartanburg County residents on November 2 through 7.

November 2, 2018

• DHEC confirmed two additional cases of measles in Spartanburg County, bringing the total case count to three.
• DHEC also confirmed that all three cases were in children who were unvaccinated, not of school age and do not attend daycare.
• A free walk-in Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) vaccination clinic was held in the City of Inman at the Inman WIC Clinic from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

November 2 - 7, 2018

• Free MMR vaccines were offered in Spartanburg at the Spartanburg County Health Department by appointment.

November 7, 2018

• Healthcare providers were provided an update on the cases through a DHEC Health Alert.

November 8, 2018

• DHEC released an update on the investigation:
  • Three additional cases, bringing the total case count to six.
  • Those individuals were treated at local urgent care facilities and might have exposed other residents during their times there.
• Anyone who visited the following locations on the dates and times listed are asked to contact the Spartanburg County Health Department at 864-596-3337.
  • AFC Urgent Care at 1667 East Main Street Duncan, S.C., on Friday, October 26, between 11:35 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
  • MEDcare Urgent Care at 301 E. Wood St. Spartanburg, S.C. on Saturday, October 27, between 4 p.m. and 7:15 p.m.
  • Greer Memorial Hospital Emergency Room at 830 S Buncombe Rd, Greer, S.C., on Saturday, October 27, between 10:08 a.m. and 5 p.m.
• DHEC extended the opportunity to receive free MMR vaccine at the Spartanburg Health Department through November 21.
• Although none of the cases at this time have been associated with a school or child care setting, DHEC provided letters to local schools and child care centers to help increase general awareness in the community about preventing measles.