Measles Outbreak Reaches Clemson University Amid Growing South Carolina Crisis

The ongoing measles outbreak in South Carolina has now spread to Clemson University, marking a concerning expansion of a public health emergency that has already affected hundreds across the state.

The South Carolina Department of Public Health confirmed a case of measles in an individual associated with Clemson University, according to an update released by the school on Saturday. The infected individual has been isolated in accordance with public health protocols, and health officials have begun contact tracing to identify anyone who may have been exposed.

“The individual has isolated, per DPH requirements, and DPH is conducting contact tracing with individuals who may have been exposed and outlining isolation and quarantine protocols,” university officials stated. Those identified as potentially exposed will receive email notifications regarding quarantine procedures.

The Clemson case is part of a rapidly growing outbreak centered in Spartanburg County, where officials have now documented 558 cases of measles. The situation has accelerated dramatically in recent days, alarming health professionals.

“Over the last seven to nine days, we’ve had upwards of over 200 new cases. That’s doubled just in the last week,” warned Dr. Johnathon Elkes, an emergency medicine physician at Prisma Health in Greenville, during a Friday media briefing. “We feel like we’re really kind of staring over the edge, knowing that this is about to get a lot worse.”

Public health officials have identified two patterns in the outbreak: some cases are linked to travel exposures or close contacts with known cases, while others have no identifiable source. This second pattern suggests community spread, raising concerns that the virus is circulating more widely than initially thought.

Measles is extraordinarily contagious. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, if one person has the disease, up to 90% of unprotected people in close proximity will become infected. The virus spreads through airborne transmission and can linger in a space for up to two hours after an infected person has left the area.

A person with measles is contagious from four days before the characteristic rash appears until four days after the rash emerges. Health officials determine isolation periods based on this timeline, with quarantine for exposed, non-immune individuals extending 21 days after their last exposure.

Clemson University appears relatively well-prepared for this health challenge. According to recent data from Student Health Services, nearly 98% of students on the main campus have provided proof of immunity to measles. This high rate of documented immunity should help limit the spread on campus.

“The health, safety and well-being of Clemson’s campus community remains our highest priority,” the university emphasized in its announcement.

For those without documented immunity who may have been exposed, receiving the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine within 72 hours of exposure can eliminate the need for quarantine, according to public health guidelines. This provides a crucial window for preventative action.

The university had previously provided guidance to the campus community on measles preparedness and is directing students and staff to resources on the Student Health Services website and through the South Carolina Department of Public Health’s measles updates page.

This case at Clemson represents a significant development in South Carolina’s measles outbreak, which has become one of the most serious in recent U.S. history. Health authorities continue to urge vaccination and vigilance as they work to contain the spread of this highly contagious disease.