South Carolina Measles Outbreak Nears 1,000 Cases as U.S. Total Passes 1,000 Early in 2026

Overview

• State officials in South Carolina have requested additional reinforcements, including non-CDC public-health support, as the outbreak accelerates toward 1,000 cases.
• The CDC’s public tracker lists 982 U.S. cases for 2026 but updates weekly, and independent reporting indicates the true national total is already well over 1,000.
• South Carolina’s reported ~2% hospitalization rate is being challenged by experts, who say measles admissions are undercounted without mandatory hospital reporting.
• Clinicians describe measles as highly contagious, with risk soaring in pockets where vaccination rates fall below roughly 85%, and stress the importance of the two-dose MMR schedule.
• Pediatric leaders are urging stronger vaccine advocacy, tighter non-medical exemption processes with required education, and improved data collection and coordination.