Local Physician Weighs in on Measles Outbreak

South Carolina is facing a fast-moving measles outbreak centered in the state’s Spartanburg County. Health officials have confirmed more than 110 cases, mostly among unvaccinated people, and have placed over 250 residents, including schoolchildren, under quarantine as they work to contain spreading. The increase in infections has been linked to recent holiday travel and lower vaccination coverage in local schools. Measles is extremely contagious and can spread quickly wherever vaccination rates fall below recommended levels.

This outbreak is part of a broader resurgence of measles across the United States, with nearly 2,000 cases reported in 2025 in more than 40 states. Health authorities say this is the highest number of cases in decades, and the country could lose its long-held measles elimination status if sustained transmission continues.

Public health experts say the likelihood of measles spreading to northwest Florida depends on several factors. The virus travels most easily among unvaccinated people, so communities with lower immunization rates are at greater risk. Measles is carried in respiratory droplets and can remain airborne for up to two hours, meaning a single infected traveler could spark new cases if they encounter susceptible individuals.

At the same time, Florida has experience with measles outbreaks in recent years and public health systems in the state monitor communicable diseases closely. If cases do appear, local health departments are likely to act quickly to trace contacts and recommend vaccination or quarantine as needed. Maintaining high coverage of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine remains the most effective way to protect communities wherever the virus appears.

We spoke with a local physician concerning the possibility of the measles outbreak reaching the panhandle. He said immunization remains a top priority in all communicable diseases and a clear head when it comes to avoiding contact with anyone who may have contracted measles recently. One positive case can spread to hundreds quicker than one might realize.