The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) has announced three additional measles outbreak cases in the state since Friday. This raises the total linked to the Upstate outbreak to 55, while the overall cases reported to DPH this year now stand at 58.

Two of the cases involve individuals who are household members of previously identified cases. The origin of the third case remains under investigation.

Understanding the Measles Outbreak

As of Tuesday, there are 136 individuals in quarantine and two in isolation as a result of the measles outbreak. Of these, 57 are from Lyman Elementary, 52 from Boiling Springs Middle School, and one from D.R. Hill Middle School. Notifications have been sent to all faculty, staff, students, and parents. Students from these schools who complete the quarantine without falling ill are expected to return to classes on November 29.

DPH has indicated that there was a public exposure at the Spartanburg County Treasurer’s Office located at 366 N. Church St. on either November 17 or November 18, while the office was operating.

Individuals who may have been exposed to this rash of measles outbreak should keep an eye out for symptoms until December 9.

Measles outbreak symptoms usually appear 7 to 12 days after exposure, though they can take as long as 21 days. The initial signs include a cough, a runny nose, and red, watery eyes, accompanied by a mild to moderate fever.