Measles cases in South Carolina rise by 6 to 979

 Measles cases in South Carolina rise by 6 to 979 

Measles cases in South Carolina rise by 6 to 979

South Carolina Measles Cases Rise from 6 to 979 South Carolina health officials say the state’s measles outbreak has once again surged. Our public health department reported 6 new cases since Friday. That brings the total number of cases linked to the outbreak to 979, and DPH says

91 people are in quarantine, with 1 person in the latest list. As of March 15, health leaders are also now addressing concerns about additional exposures linked to homeschooling.

While some people are still in quarantine now, TPH says there have been 21 hospitalizations linked to complications from measles since the outbreak began, so officials continue to say vaccination is the best protection.

Measles cases on the rise in South Carolina

Measles cases are on the rise in South Carolina. Let’s get an update right now. The South Carolina Department of Public Health reported 9 new measles cases since Friday.

That brings the total number of measles cases statewide this year to 130,135 and 108,138. There are now 168 people in quarantine and 1 person in isolation. Health leaders are urging anyone to contact a health care provider before seeking treatment to help prevent further spread.

South Carolina health officials urge measles vaccinations as cases rise in the state 

South Carolina health officials urge measles vaccinations as cases rise in state, more than 160 people in quarantine

as the state battles a surge in measles cases. Nine new measles cases were reported overnight Friday and Tuesday, according to the state health department, bringing the total number

of cases in South Carolina this year to 138. As a result, 168 people in the state are in quarantine and one person is in isolation. Most of the reported cases involve children

who have not been vaccinated. At a press conference this afternoon, state officials highlighted the importance of vaccinations in stopping the outbreak. 94% are unvaccinated.

And so it points to the protection that vaccination is the best way to protect people from measles to stop the ongoing spread. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,

All but eight states have been affected The World Health Organization declared measles eliminated in the United States 25 years ago, but now health experts are warning

that with the number of cases increasing, the United States is at risk of losing that elimination status. Dr. William Schneier is now with me. He is a professor of infectious disease at Vanderbilt Medical Center

and has served as a liaison to the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. It’s great to see you again, Doctor.

How big of a concern is it from a public health perspective that more and more people are willing to get the measles vaccine? Is there any evidence?

to suggest

that these vaccines are not safe? Well, of course, Lindsay, it’s a public health and medical concern. There’s a concern for individual patients that many parents are withholding their children from the vaccine.

This is a very serious disease. We shouldn’t think this hard. For example, before we had the vaccine available in this country in the 1960s,

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400 to 500 children died each year in the United States from measles and its complications. It is a very dangerous virus. It is completely preventable. The vaccine is safe, effective.

It has been used in many, many, many countries around the world. In the millions, if not billions, over the past 50 years. So it is a very serious decision to withhold vaccination from children.

Please discuss these issues with your pediatrician and family doctor who are there to care for your children day and night.

Did this contribute to the confusion, the concern, the hesitation? Oh Lindsay, I am sure it has created more confusion, concern, hesitation. I know that my children's colleagues are spending more and more time,

They and their staff talk to parents about vaccinations, usually about the measles vaccine. We need to provide reassurance

so that parents can feel comfortable raising their children knowing that it is best for them and building healthy communities. We were not like no child died in the United States.

In fact, we had no cases of measles in the United States. We are turning the clock back to the bad old days, I fear. To William Schapner. Thank you.