Measles detected in Mecklenburg County wastewater

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The measles outbreak continues in South Carolina and now it’s getting closer to home. Measles has been detected in wastewater in Mecklenburg County health officials announced Monday.

Mecklenburg County Public Health Director Dr. Raynard Washington says there are still no cases identified in the county.

“What it basically means is that more than likely a resident with measles, either of Mecklenburg County or potentially someone from South Carolina or even one of our neighboring counties has passed through Mecklenburg County and used the bathroom,” Dr. Washington said. “We just want to make sure residents know that this is getting closer to home.”

Public health officials started testing the wastewater during the pandemic as a means of early detection. So far there are six cases of measles in North Carolina, but none in Mecklenburg County.

In South Carolina, an outbreak grows in Spartanburg where there are more than 300 cases and low vaccination rates.

“We’re really talking about most people in our community are vaccinated and protected,” Dr. Washington said. “Measles is one of the most effective vaccines we have as very clearly evidenced by the data you can see from the South Carolina outbreak, the vast majority of the cases, more than 95%, have not yet been vaccinated.”

The latest data shows about 92% of people in Mecklenburg County are vaccinated. Health officials aim for a 95% vaccination rate to reduce the risk of spread. The department of public health is hosting free or low-cost walk-in services to get the measles vaccine at clinics across the county.

“We do know we have a growing number of families who are opting out of vaccine for their kids because of concerns around safety and risk,” Dr. Washington said. “So we continue to encourage those families to ask questions and talk with us and talk to their pediatricians to try to get them over, over those concerns.”

Health officials say they are most concerned about the possibility for a spread in daycare centers or schools.

“We are concerned about pockets of individuals where there are lots of kids in a childcare center who are not vaccinated, that’s where you have the risk for large numbers to happen, or you have in certain sub communities or subgroups within our within our community who may be opposed to vaccines if they’re living in close geography to each other,” Dr. Washington said.

WCCB reached out to Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools to learn more about their preventative measures. We are still waiting to hear back.

Here are the locations and hours where people can get free or low-cost vaccines:
Northwest Health Dept., 2845 Beatties Ford Rd: Mon., Tue., Thu. and Fri. 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Wed. 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Southeast Health Dept., 249 Billingsley Rd: Mon., Tue., Thu. and Fri. 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Wed. 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Ella B. Scarborough Community Resource Center, 430 Stitt Rd: Mon., Tue., Thu. and Fri. 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Wed. 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Valerie C. Woodard Community Resource Center, 3205 Freedom Dr, Entrance A: Mon. – Fri. 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.