The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) is reporting three new cases of measles in the state since Friday, bringing the total number of cases in South Carolina related to the Upstate outbreak to 55 and the total number reported to DPH this year to 58.
As of Nov. 25, there are 136 people in quarantine and two in isolation. Fifty-seven of those are individuals from Lyman Elementary, 52 are from Boiling Springs Middle School and one attends D.R. Hill Middle School.
All school faculty, staff, students and parents have been notified. Students from those schools who quarantine successfully without becoming ill are schedule to be able to return to classes Nov. 29.
DPH has one public exposure notification to report.
If anyone was at the Spartanburg County Treasurer’s Office at 366 N. Church St. on Nov. 17 or 18, during the hours the office was open and you do not have immunity through vaccination or previous disease, be aware of measles symptoms, contact your health provider if you become ill and let them know you may have been exposed. Potentially exposed individuals should monitor symptoms through Dec. 9.
Symptoms of measles typically begin in 7-12 days but up to 21 days after exposure. It starts with a cough, runny nose and red watery eyes, along with a mild fever.
Two or three days later, the fever spikes, often as high as 104 degrees. At the same time, a red blotchy rash appears, usually first on the face and head, then rapidly spreads down the remainder of the body.
A person with measles is contagious from four days before the rash appears through four days after its onset, so someone may be able to spread measles before they know they have the disease.
It is important to stay home if you are ill. DPH encourages employers to make sure that workers stay out of worksites and facilities while ill to protect your businesses, your workers and your clients.
Measles is highly contagious and can cause serious illness resulting in hospitalizations and complications.Â
If anyone who may have been exposed develops an illness with fever (101°F or more), cough, runny nose or red eyes, with or without rash, immediately call your doctor and let them know about the exposure and symptoms so that they can tell you what to do next. Your doctor should make special arrangements to evaluate you without putting other patients and medical office staff at risk of exposure. You will be asked to stay at home until the doctor clears you.
