150+ unvaccinated kids quarantine as measles surge across the U.S.
As measles continue to soar across the U.S., more than 150 unvaccinated students are forced to quarantine amid cases reaching a 33-year high.
At least 153 children from two South Carolina schools are quarantining for 21 days after being exposed to measles, state health officials announced.
BBC reported students who were exposed did not have immunizations and were forced to miss school during the period of potential disease transmission.
The move comes just days after the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention revealed an all-time high of measles cases in the United States in 33 years.
The CDC revealed more than 1,500 measles cases have been confirmed since the beginning of the year across 42 states.
Texas leads the pack with at least 762 confirmed cases between January 2025 and August — 99% of infected individuals have been hospitalized as a result of their infection, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services .
Additionally, two Texas school-aged children have died from the measles. They were not vaccinated.
While Massachusetts has no reported cases of measles as of Oct. 14, two New England states have confirmed cases: Vermont and Rhode Island.
Vermont reported two cases of measles for 2024 and 2025, whereas Rhode Island had no confirmed cases last year and one this year.
Nationwide, 27% of cases are of children 5 years old or younger, and 92% of all cases are of individuals who are unvaccinated or are unsure if they've been vaccinated.
Measles rashes can spread from the hairline to other parts of the body. Usually it is coupled with a high fever of upwards of 104 degrees.CDC
There have been three confirmed measles-related deaths in 2025, CDC data shows.
"Measles isn't just a little rash. Measles can be dangerous, especially for babies and young children," a blog post from the CDC reads.
Measles is a highly contagious viral infection affecting the respiratory system.
Symptoms usually appear between seven to 14 days after exposure and can begin with a high fever, cough or runny nose.
Between two and four days after exposure, small white spots called "Koplik" may appear inside an infected person's mouth.
Between days three and five, infected people may start to get a measles rash.
Measles rashes have small raised bumps on top of flat red spots. They might join together and spread from their head to the rest of their body and spike a fever of more than 104 degrees.
Shown is a measles rash on the torso of a young child that appeared between day three and five of infection.CDC
"Measles is highly contagious. If one person has it, up to 9 out of 10 people nearby will become infected if they are not protected," the CDC said .
"The best protection against measles is measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. MMR vaccine provides long-lasting protection against all strains of measles."
The virus spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. You can contract the virus simply by being in a room where a person with measles has been.
The CDC recommends getting the vaccine to prevent getting the virus.
More Business News
Read the original article on MassLive . Add MassLive as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
