Health authorities in South Carolina documented 12 new measles infections between Friday and Tuesday, pushing the state’s total confirmed cases to 962, according to data released by state health officials.
The Tuesday announcement marks a continued climb in what has become a significant outbreak, with health department leaders cautioning that the spread of the highly contagious disease may continue for weeks or even months to come.
Officials point to insufficient vaccination rates as a key factor allowing the outbreak to persist and expand throughout the state. The measles virus spreads rapidly in communities where immunization coverage falls below protective levels.
