South Carolina's measles outbreak is over. But more are brewing around the country

Health South Carolina's measles outbreak is over. But more are brewing around the country April 27, 20267:17 PM ET Maria Godoy A health care worker assessed a patient with measles symptoms in Spartanburg, S.C. in January. Strict public health measures and increased vaccination helped curb the outbreak. The Washington Post/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption The Washington Post/Getty Images South Carolina public health officials on Monday declared an end to the largest measles outbreak in the U.S. since 1991. On Sunday, the state marked 42 days with no new cases reported related to the outbreak. Over a six-month period starting last October, 997 people were infected with measles in South Carolina. Most of them were unvaccinated children. At least 21 people were hospitalized with measles complications. The outbreak was largely contained to the northwest region of the state. It never went statewide, "thanks to timely investigations, identification of those exposed, and people's willingness to stay home," said Dr. Edward Simmer, interim director of the South Carolina Department of Public Health. "In many ways, this was a textbook response to dealing with an outbreak." Sponsor Message Health The U.S. will likely lose its measles elimination status. Here's what that means The measles virus can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia and brain swelling. At a briefing Monday, Dr. Brannon Traxler of the South Carolina Department of Public Health said while many measles cases were mild, "it was, at times, life- threatening or potentially long lasting for others." Measles can be fatal. Last year three people — including two school-age children in Texas — died from the disease. While most people recover from measles, it can cause long-lasting complications, including immune amnesia, a phenomenon where the virus wipes out parts of the immune system, leaving kids vulnerable to new infections for several years. And children infected before the age of 2 are at highe...