Measles cases in South Carolina rise by nine to 185, state health department says

Jan 2 (Reuters) – The South Carolina health department reported 185 measles cases related to the ongoing outbreak in the state on Friday, nine additional cases since its last update on Tuesday.

The widening outbreak has been reported in the northwest part of the state, which includes Greenville and Spartanburg.

Of those infected, 172 were unvaccinated, four were partially vaccinated with one of the recommended two-dose measles-mumps-rubella vaccines, one was fully vaccinated and four had unknown vaccination status while four are still being investigated.

Most cases were reported in children in the five to 17 age group followed by those below five years of age, according to the South Carolina Department of Public Health.

There are currently 223 people in quarantine and three in isolation. The latest end date for those currently in quarantine is January 24, the state health department said.

Measles is a highly contagious viral infection that causes symptoms such as fever, cough and a characteristic rash. It can also lead to severe complications like pneumonia and encephalitis.

(Reporting by Mariam Sunny and Siddhi Mahatole in Bengaluru; Editing by Krishna Chandra Eluri)