Measles Outbreak in Upstate SC Prompts Vaccine Awareness in Foothills

South Carolina health officials report 16 measles cases, including 12 in Spartanburg County, as of October 14, 2025. The Rutherford County Health Department, part of the Foothills Health District, said the outbreak nearby makes it important for residents to check their vaccination status. 

"Measles, though rare in North Carolina, is a serious public health threat," Jason Masters, Foothills Health Director, said in a statement. "Measles is highly contagious and can be dangerous, especially for young children and those with weakened immune systems. Vaccination is the best protection."

Measles typically begins with a high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes, followed by a rash that usually starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. It is spread through the air and can linger in a room for up to two hours after an infected person has left. The MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine is “safe and highly effective,” the statement said. “Two doses are about 97% effective at preventing measles. “We encourage all families to ensure their children are up to date on vaccinations,” Masters said. “If you’re unsure of your or your child’s vaccination status, reach out to your healthcare provider or your local health department.”

People with measles should stay home from work and school and avoid contact with others for four days after their rash first appears, public health officials said. It is also important for people without immunity to the virus who have had contact with a measles case to quarantine as instructed, because people with mild early symptoms can spread the virus. Those infected with measles are contagious from four days before the rash begins through four days after its onset.

A total of 1,596 confirmed measles cases have been reported across 41 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). There have been more than 44 outbreaks reported in 2025, and 86% of confirmed cases (1,380 of 1,596) are outbreak-associated. There have been three confirmed deaths from measles, the CDC said.

Local Vaccine Appointments

• Rutherford County: 828-287-6100

• McDowell County: 828-652-6811