The Spartanburg County Health Department, in coordination with the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH), has released new guidelines in response to a measles outbreak that began in late September 2025. As of October 8, there are seven confirmed cases in Spartanburg County, including outbreaks at Global Academy of South Carolina and Fairforest Elementary School, and ten measles cases statewide this year.​
Key Public Health Guidelines
All unvaccinated students at schools with confirmed cases are temporarily excluded from in-person instruction until October 22, or until the period of potential disease transmission is safely concluded.​
The DPH urges immediate vaccination: the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine is recommended for all individuals who have not been fully vaccinated, as it offers about 97% protection against measles.​
Families at affected schools have been individually notified if their children were close contacts, and public information campaigns are ongoing to ensure widespread awareness.​
Health alerts and guidance have been distributed to all school nurses and health care providers in the region, outlining symptoms to watch for, infection reporting protocols, and measures to prevent further spread.​
Additional Preventive Recommendations
Anyone with symptoms of measles (high fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, followed by rash) should contact their health provider immediately and avoid public spaces until cleared.​
The DPH has created a dedicated measles outbreak webpage, updated every Tuesday and Friday, with information about symptoms, prevention, vaccination, and frequently asked questions.​
These new measures reflect heightened efforts to contain measles transmission in local schools and within the community. The situation remains dynamic, and the public is strongly advised to follow all DPH recommendations and stay informed through official updates.
SOURCES
[1](https://dph.sc.gov/news/dph-confirms-9th-and-10th-case-measles-spartanburg-county-launches-webpage-update-public)
[2](https://dph.sc.gov/news/measles-update-dph-confirms-locations-spartanburg-county-outbreak-media-briefing-take-place)
[3](https://wach.com/news/local/south-carolina-department-of-public-health-addresses-the-upstate-measles-outbreak)
[4](https://www.spartanburgregional.com)
[5](https://www.spartanburgcounty.org/AgendaCenter)
