Spartanburg's 'accelerating' measles outbreak has surpassed 100 cases. The underlying causes go beyond simple exposure into culture and experiences

According to the CDC, South Carolina has seen a total of 123 measles cases so far in 2025, making it the state with the third-highest number of measles cases this year. Arizona and Texas are the only two states with higher measles rates than North Carolina's southern neighbor.

North Carolina does not currently have any confirmed measles cases, according to the NC Department of Health & Human Services’ website (as of Friday, Dec. 12 afternoon). A measles case was confirmed this summer. Before that, a case was confirmed fall 2024, but there were no reported cases from 2019 to 2023, per NCDHHS.

The South Carolina Department of Public Health said 16 of the 27 new measles cases stemmed from exposure at the Way of Truth Church in Inman.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today said the United States has 1,912 confirmed measles cases so far in 2025, an increase of 84 cases since last week and a bad sign as holiday gatherings, travel, and indoor activities is set to pick up in the final weeks of the year.

The Texas Department of State Health Services confirmed the first measles outbreak in Bexar County on July 2. A recent study found that an outbreak the size of the one that occurred in West Texas cost around $12.6 million. It costs around $58,600 for one person to receive care for measles in the hospital.

RFK Jr. has eroded public trust in vaccines, critics say. Now, the U.S. stands to lose its measles-free status.