South Carolina's measles outbreak jumped to Washington state 5 times in 2 weeks
International travel used to be the main risk of measles cases in the US—not anymore.
International travel used to be the main risk of measles cases in the US—not anymore.
The short version
- But as vaccination rates have slipped nationwide in recent years and outbreaks grow bigger and more frequent, domestic travel now poses a greater risk than international incursions.
- In a study published this week in NEJM Evidence, Washington state health officials highlight that risk, detailing how an explosive outbreak in South Carolina reached their distant state through five distinct importation events over two weeks in January.
- In all, the introductions led to 26 cases among residents before officials stamped out the spread.
What happened
South Carolina’s measles outbreak began on October 2, 2025, and was declared over on April 26, 2026. Officials confirmed 997 cases in the state during the outbreak.
Why it matters
At the time, it was the largest measles outbreak recorded since the virus was declared eliminated, but Pennsylvania’s ongoing outbreak has since surpassed it.
Summary by Nerd News Network. Read the full article at Ars Technica via the links above and below.