153 Unvaccinated Students in Quarantine After Measles Exposure at South Carolina Schools
By
Sara Moniuszko
Health and Wellness Reporter
(https://www.cbsnews.com/team/sara-moniuszko/)
Sara Moniuszko is a health and wellness reporter at CBSNews.com, previously writing for USA Today and helping launch the newspaper's wellness vertical. She now covers breaking and trending health news for CBS News' HealthWatch.
Read Full Bio (https://www.cbsnews.com/team/sara-moniuszko/)
October 13, 2025 / 9:56 AM EDT / CBS News
At least 153 unvaccinated students in South Carolina schools are currently in quarantine after being exposed to measles, according to local health officials. This number is a stark reminder of the ongoing measles outbreak in the state, which has seen a rise in cases this year.
In a media briefing, health officials confirmed that these students, without immunity, have been excluded from school until the period of potential disease transmission has passed. The affected schools, Global Academy and Fairforest Elementary in Spartanburg County, are collaborating with the South Carolina Department of Public Health to implement precautionary measures, ensuring the safety of students and teachers.
The briefing also highlighted the state's 11th measles case this year, with eight cases reported since September 25th. This outbreak is part of a broader trend across the United States. For instance, Minnesota health officials reported two new measles cases this week, bringing the state's total to 20, with 18 of these cases involving unvaccinated children.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data reveals a concerning decline in vaccination rates. Only 92.7% of kindergarteners in the U.S. were vaccinated against measles in the 2023-2024 school year, down from 95.2% in the 2019-2020 school year. This threshold is crucial for maintaining community immunity, where over 95% vaccination rates protect most people.
Measles is a highly contagious virus that can linger in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves. It can cause severe infections in the lungs and brain, leading to cognitive issues, deafness, or even death. However, doctors and health officials emphasize that the measles vaccine is highly safe and effective, offering the best protection against the disease.
The South Carolina Department of Public Health's release urged the public to get vaccinated, stating that active, unrecognized community transmission of measles is occurring in the Upstate region, making vaccination vital for public health.
