Measles case now reported in Lancaster Co., SC

LANCASTER CO., S.C. – Measles cases continue to move south as the outbreak in upstate South Carolina continues. On Tuesday, state health officials announced a new case in Lancaster County. That’s about an hour south of Charlotte. So far, no word on how the patient became infected and health leaders say they have not identified any potential public exposures stemming from that case. In the upstate, South Carolina health officials Tuesday reported 13 new cases of measles since last Friday. Those bring the total in the outbreak to 933.

Doctors say the best way to prevent infection is to get vaccinated. And now, one South Carolina state senator wants to remove the religious exemption for the measles vaccine in light of the ongoing outbreak. Democrat Margie Bright-Matthews of Colleton County proposed a new bill to remove the exemption, while still preserving legitimate medical exemptions.

The surge of measles cases in South Carolina is the largest in the country since the disease was declared eliminated in 2000.