Nearly 1,000 may have been exposed to measles at S.C. museum

COLUMBIA, S.C. - The South Carolina State Museum said nearly 1,000 people visited on the same day as a person infected with measles was there.

If many of them were infected, that could drastically raise the number of cases in the state’s measles outbreak.

Sewage tests can detect measles: Why don’t Ga., S.C. do that?

Georgia and South Carolina are currently using testing to track cases of the measles and their spread; however, another state is detecting measles without a doctor testing a patient.

And that comes after a week when the outbreak skyrocketed by more than 200 cases after expanding at a relatively slow rate.

So far, the outbreak has been concentrated in the Upstate region, but bringing the museum into the equation could spread the outbreak across the state and the rest of the region.

The museum in Columbia said the measles patient was among 957 visitors Jan. 2.

Measles case hits Georgia as S.C. battles outbreak

Even as a measles outbreak continues to grip parts of South Carolina, a new case of the virus has been reported in Georgia.

DPH reported 124 new cases of measles between Friday and Tuesday. That revelation came after 99 new cases in the previous three days.

This brings the total number of cases in the current outbreak to 434.

State Epidemiologist Dr. Linda Bell noted Wednesday that there have so far been no other confirmed cases of measles in any other region of the state. She also said, however, that those possibly exposed at the museum should still monitor for symptoms.

“People who were exposed at the museum, especially those without immunity through vaccination or previous disease, should monitor for symptoms through Jan. 23,” said Bell.

Bird flu strikes a Georgia commercial flock of 71,000

This is the first case of the year and the fourth at a commercial poultry operation in Georgia since the ongoing, nationwide outbreak began in February 2022.

Symptoms include cough, runny nose, red watery eyes and fever; followed by a rash two to three days later that starts on the face and then spreads to the rest of the body.

Although DPH said those who were at the museum between 1 and 5 p.m. that day may have also been exposed, the museum itself said it was unable to track how many people were there between those specific times.

To stay up-to-date on the latest measles outbreak information, visit dph.sc.gov/diseases-conditions/infectious-diseases/measles-rubeola/2025-measles-outbreak.

Vaccination continues to be the best way to prevent measles and stop this outbreak, health officials said.

Vaccination controversy

As cases of measles spread in Spartanburg County, one man is pushing for more kids to get vaccinated for measles.

Tim Smith spoke at the school board meeting, saying his wife who is a teacher’s assistant came close to dying after he claims his wife was exposed from a kid.

Smith says his wife is vaccinated for measles and still got it.

“We sat there for the next two days watching her get sicker and sicker,” he said. “She couldn’t breathe, all for what? It’s total insanity.”

State Sen. Josh Kimbrell is sending a letter to the school district about vaccination exemptions.