vaccine lollipop

While 2025 started with a large and deadly measles outbreak in Texas, South Carolina is already outpacing it for 2026. The United States is likely to lose its "eradication" qualification for this easily preventable disease.

The measles outbreak in South Carolina is showing little sign of slowing down. The state has confirmed 847 cases since the first case was reported in October, making the outbreak bigger than the one in Texas, which started just over a year ago.

Dr. Linda Bell, South Carolina’s state epidemiologist, points out that in Texas, measles cases grew over the course of seven months, while in South Carolina it has taken just 16 weeks to surpass the Texas case count.

South Carolina has reported 558 cases of measles in an outbreak that is continuing to spread quickly. Health Measles is spreading fast in S.C. Here’s what it says about vaccine exemptions "This is a milestone that we have reached in a relatively short period of time, very unfortunately," she said at a press briefing Wednesday. "And it’s just disconcerting to consider what our final trajectory will look like for measles in South Carolina."

The state on Friday reported 58 new cases since Tuesday.

NPR

Measles isn’t a mild childhood rash. It’s highly contagious, can lead to hospitalization or death, and requires exceptionally high, around 95%, immunization coverage to protect communities through herd immunity. When vaccination rates dip, the virus fills the gap. This outbreak isn’t accidental; it’s a predictable consequence of declining vaccination rates, misinformation, and a fragile public health infrastructure.

Previously: • Artist recycles vaccine syringe caps into dresses • Study shows how memes impact vaccine hesitancy • As RFK Jr undermines vaccine safety, South Carolina’s measles epidemic grows

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