The South Carolina Measles Outbreak Is Slowing Down

For several weeks now, the state has experienced a downward trend in new infections, with approximately 10 cases being reported per week. At its peak in mid-January, the state was reporting around 200 new cases a week.

The South Carolina outbreak is the largest measles outbreak in the US in more than 30 years, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC has confirmed 1,281 measles cases across the country this year, as of March 5. That is already more than half of the documented cases in 2025, which totaled 2,283.

Measles was declared eliminated in the US in 2000, a status attained when there has been no ongoing transmission within the country for longer than a year. Even with cases in South Carolina abating, the US is now at risk of losing its measles elimination status. According to the CDC, there have ...