• South Carolina reports 646 measles cases, the worst outbreak since 2025.
• Vaccination rates have dropped, causing public health concerns.
• The U.S. risks losing its measles elimination status, declared in 2000.
• Three deaths from measles in Texas highlight the outbreak's severity.
• Experts emphasize the need for vaccination to prevent further spread.

South Carolina is grappling with a significant measles outbreak, having reported a total of 646 cases as of January 20, 2026, including 88 new cases in just a few days. This outbreak is primarily concentrated in Spartanburg County, with significant public exposures occurring at schools and universities, leading to over 500 people in quarantine due to exposure to the virus, according to Reuters and CBS News.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) noted that the 2025 outbreak across various states resulted in over 2,240 confirmed cases, marking the highest figures in three decades, which includes cases associated with the initial spread in Texas and now in South Carolina, according to ABC News and BBC. During this time, vaccination rates have dwindled, falling below the 95% threshold necessary for herd immunity, compounding the outbreak's risk, as explained by Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, a former CDC leader.

As of January 2026, the U.S. risks losing its elimination status, declared in 2000, due to a sustained year of measles transmission. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is set to review the conditions for U.S. and Mexico's measles elimination status, particularly in light of these outbreaks, cited by both Reuters and CBS News.

The situation has been further exacerbated by varying degrees of vaccine skepticism fueled by public figures. The fallout from declining vaccination rates has led health officials to provide resources and technical assistance to help combat the ongoing outbreak, as detailed by the BBC and CBS News. Health experts continue to emphasize that vaccination remains the most effective method for combating measles, urging parents to follow established health guidelines to protect their children and communities.