• Over 150 unvaccinated students in South Carolina are quarantined due to measles exposure.
• U.S. measles cases have reached a 33-year high, with over 1,563 confirmed cases this year.
• Vaccination rates have declined, contributing to ongoing outbreaks in several states.

In South Carolina, at least 153 unvaccinated students from two schools are quarantined after being exposed to measles. The schools involved, Global Academy of South Carolina and Fairforest Elementary in Spartanburg County, will remain vigilant as they are working with health officials to implement safety measures. Officials have confirmed a total of 11 measles cases in the state this year, including eight linked to recent exposures, highlighting "active, unrecognized community transmission" of the virus, according to the South Carolina Department of Public Health, as reported by ABC News, CBS News, and BBC.

Overall, the U.S. has recorded 1,563 measles cases this year, the highest number in more than 30 years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This increase reflects a broader trend of declining vaccination rates, which have dropped nationwide to 92.5% for kindergarteners, down from over 95% prior to the pandemic. Public health experts, including Dr. Paul Offit from the Vaccine Education Center, suggest the true number of cases could be as high as 5,000, indicating significant underreporting, according to NPR, ABC News, and BBC.

The CDC attributes the current outbreaks to vectors of unvaccinated individuals, with substantial cases also reported in Arizona and Utah, which have seen 63 and 55 cases respectively this year. The rise of measles in these states mimics the surge seen in South Carolina, creating concerns about community immunity levels dropping below the critical threshold of 95%, deemed necessary for herd immunity. This lack of immunity leaves communities highly susceptible to swift outbreaks of the disease, as noted by health officials from South Carolina, as reported by ABC News and CBS News.

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases, easily spreading among unvaccinated groups. Public health advocates emphasize the need for increased vaccination rates to protect communities from outbreaks. The CDC underlines that the MMR vaccine is crucial for preventing the disease, with its efficacy at 97% when administered properly, as detailed by CBS News and BBC.