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The rapidly growing measles outbreak in South Carolina has reached Clemson University, marking a significant expansion as the virus spreads to major college campuses in the state.
Health officials confirmed that a person affiliated with Clemson University has tested positive for the highly contagious virus, according to a statement from the university. The infected individual has been placed in isolation as required by the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH), which is now conducting contact tracing.
"The individual has isolated per DPH requirements, and DPH is conducting contact tracing with individuals who may have been exposed and outlining isolation and quarantine protocols," Clemson officials said.
As of Thursday (January 22), the outbreak has reached 646 total cases statewide, with 88 new infections confirmed since last Friday. The surge represents a doubling of cases in just the past week, with over 200 new infections reported in a seven to nine-day period.
The virus has now spread beyond K-12 schools to affect college campuses. Currently, 34 students at Clemson University and 50 at nearby Anderson University are under quarantine, with each school reporting one confirmed case. This development is particularly concerning given Clemson's population of approximately 30,000 students.
"Over the last seven to nine days, we've had upwards of over 200 new cases. That's doubled just in the last week," Dr. Johnathon Elkes, an emergency medicine physician at Prisma Health in Greenville, told NBC News.
The outbreak has primarily affected children and teenagers, with most cases occurring in unvaccinated individuals. Of the 646 confirmed cases, 563 patients are unvaccinated, 12 are partially vaccinated, 13 are fully vaccinated, and 58 have unknown vaccination status. Age distribution shows 155 patients under 5 years old and 419 between ages 5 and 17.
Health officials report that eight people have been hospitalized due to complications from measles, though it remains unclear how many remain in the hospital. Currently, about 200 people are actively infected, and that number could be higher since measles can spread up to four days before symptoms appear.
The South Carolina outbreak is now the largest in the country and threatens to surpass the 762-case West Texas outbreak that began exactly one year ago. If officials determine there has been 12 months of continuous measles transmission in the United States, the country could lose its measles elimination status that was achieved in 2000.
The CDC recommends that people receive two doses of the MMR vaccine - the first at ages 12 to 15 months and the second between 4 and 6 years old. One dose is 93% effective against measles, while two doses provide 97% effectiveness.
Health officials have warned of potential public exposures at several locations, including a Publix in Duncan on Friday, January 16, and a Food Lion in Inman on Sunday, January 11, and Monday, January 12. Those who visited these locations are advised to monitor for symptoms through early February.
Nationwide, the CDC reported 2,242 measles cases last year, including three deaths. Nearly all cases occurred in people under 20, and 93% were in unvaccinated individuals or those with unknown vaccination status.