On January 20, the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) reported a total of 646 active cases of Measles in the state, making it one of the largest Measles outbreaks in the United States.
The outbreak has now spread to North Carolina, with 11 total cases in the state since December 2025, and Washington State, with three cases confirmed as of January 15. Even if you don’t work in epidemiology or healthcare, you should be concerned with these numbers.
Measles was considered eradicated from the United States in 2000 due to high vaccination rates, but a rise in vaccine exemption rates has led to an increase in measles outbreaks in the last several years. If you’re unfamiliar, Measles (Rubeola) is a highly-contagious viral illness characterized by a distinct rash alongside a high fever and cough. Measles can impact anyone, regardless of age, but it is most common in young children. While there hasn’t been a medication discovered that can treat measles, getting the MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine is the primary recommended way to keep yourself and others from contracting measles.
The good news? If you’re an ETSU student living on campus and attending class in person, you are required to show proof that you’ve received two doses of the MMR vaccine to be enrolled. However, you shouldn’t take that as your opportunity to ignore what’s going on with the measles outbreak.
An outbreak like this impacts everyone, no matter where they live or if they’re vaccinated. Unlike the 2025 measles outbreak in Texas that remained mostly in one area, the South Carolina outbreak has already spread to two states and continues to grow. Measles is so contagious that one infected person can infect up to 18 other people.
Luckily, the MMR vaccine is remarkably effective. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one dose of the MMR vaccine is 93% effective against measles, while two doses are 97% effective. If you’re worried about your MMR vaccination status, contact your primary care physician or state health department for your vaccination records. Also, if you plan on studying abroad in the near future, a trip to your doctor or local health department may be a good idea to ensure you’re up to date on all necessary vaccines, including MMR.
To recap, measles cases are rising in the U.S., and being up to date on your MMR vaccines could help lessen that number and save lives. Make sure you’re following the news to make sure you’re keeping yourself and others safe.
