South Carolina's measles outbreak jumped to Washington state 5 times in 2 weeks
Summary
A study by Washington state health officials found that South Carolina’s measles outbreak reached Washington through five separate introductions in January 2026. The introductions caused 26 cases, and officials said isolation, quarantine and contact tracing helped limit further spread.Key Facts
- The study appeared in NEJM Evidence.
- South Carolina’s outbreak began October 2, 2025, and ended April 26, 2026.
- South Carolina officials confirmed 997 cases during the outbreak.
- Washington officials identified five separate introductions linked to South Carolina or related out-of-state exposure over two weeks in January.
- The five introductions led to 26 measles cases among Washington residents.
- The largest Washington cluster had 14 cases and followed visits by infectious South Carolina residents.
- Another cluster had seven cases after an infected traveler visited a school and a health care facility.
- Officials used epidemiological data and whole-genome sequencing to distinguish separate introductions from local transmission.
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