The vast majority of cases, 940, were centered in Spartanburg County, but cases were also confirmed in Greenville, Anderson, Pickens, Lancaster, Cherokee and Sumter counties.

The outbreak began in October last year, and the last confirmed case related to it was reported on March 15. State public health officials cited decreasing measles/mumps rubella (MMR) vaccination rates in recent years as a major driver of the outbreak.

Measles outbreak impacts

That fact is underscored by DPH data on the vaccination status of those who contracted measles during the outbreak which showed of the 997 cases, 932 occurred in people who were unvaccinated.

Other outbreak data points include:

• 264 cases occurred in children aged 5 and under
• 639 occurred in people aged 5-17
• 87 occurred in people 18 or older
• 33 schools in 7 school districts impacted by measles exposures with 874 students asked to quarantine
• More than 1,670 calls made by investigators
• $2.1 million estimated outbreak cost to the state (direct costs for DPH response)

According to DPH, 42 days were required to elapse with no new measles cases reported before the outbreak could be declared ended. That period of time is double the incubation period for measles and provides a clear indication the virus transmission chain has been broken.

Positive signs

One positive development in the face of the outbreak has been a noticeable uptick in vaccination rates during the six months of the outbreak, both locally and across the state, according to DPH.

In Spartanburg County where the outbreak originated and was largely focused, 3,788 more MMR vaccines were administered than the prior year — a 93.6% increase. Across the Upstate, 14,745 more vaccines were administered (82.4% increase), and statewide 81,096 more doses were given (31.3% increase).

The state was also fortunate that despite the magnitude of the outbreak, cases remained largely confined to one county, according to Brannon Traxler, DPH deputy director of health promotion and services and chief medical officer.

Traxler spoke about lessons learned during the final DPH media briefing on the outbreak held April 27.

She said DPH believes the outbreak ended as soon as it did for three main reasons:

• Those infected developed natural immunity
• The vast majority of people infected followed public health directives to isolate and quarantine
• There was a significant increase in the number of people vaccinated during the outbreak, with January and February 2026 seeing record numbers of vaccinations

“The outbreak is over, but our work to understand and prevent measles and future outbreaks is not,” Traxler said. “We believe our outbreak response team did a tremendous job under really unprecedented conditions, but there are always things that we can learn from and improve on … with future responses.”

Traxler said there remain pockets all over South Carolina where populations remain vulnerable to future outbreaks due to low rates of protection from vaccination or natural immunity, and DPH will continue close monitoring for signs of a new outbreak.

Measles cases by county

• Spartanburg — 940
• Greenville — 36
• Anderson — 8
• Pickens — 6
• Lancaster — 4
• Cherokee — 2
• Sumter — 1

The post SC health officials declare end to Upstate measles outbreak appeared first on GREENVILLE JOURNAL.

DPH’s laboratory confirmed on April 15 that a brown and black German shepherd found near La Paz Street and Los Cabos Lane in Pendleton tested positive for rabies.

The four people exposed have been referred to their health care providers. The exposed dog has been put in quarantine as required by state law.

Anyone who suspects they may have come into contact with the rabid dog should contact DPH’s Anderson County office at 864-372-3270 during normal business hours.

Rabies is usually transmitted through a bite or scratch from an infected animal. South Carolina sees on average about 150 cases of rabies each year. So far in 2026, DPH has confirmed 24 cases with five of those occurring in Anderson County.

The post Rabid dog confirmed in Anderson County, 4 people exposed appeared first on GREENVILLE JOURNAL.

She felt flushed and began sweating profusely. Then came the nausea.

She thought she’d eaten something that disagreed with her. She thought she could power through it.

As part of a team doing the critical work of helping save the lives of heart attack patients, she thought “scrubbing out” and taking a break would be letting her team down.

But her teammates took charge and convinced her of a fact women all too often have trouble admitting: she was having a heart attack.

‘Women deny’

Speaking of her experience the night of April 5, 2025, Poole said for the longest time as events unfolded she didn’t understand what was happening to her.

“I was nauseated. The pain was not chest pain. It felt like something else,” she said. “I don’t know what’s going on — denial, you know. Women deny.”

Poole knows this because she’s spent years treating women suffering heart attacks at Prisma Health’s Heart and Vascular Institute. Despite the knowledge that women often have difficulty realizing they’re having a heart attack, Poole found herself falling into a similar pattern of thinking she was experiencing anything but a heart attack.

What makes her story even more poignant is that she suffered a specific type of heart attack called Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD), which is the leading cause of heart attacks in women under 50, pregnant women and new mothers.

Poole is part of a team at Prisma’s Heart and Vascular Health Institute that has become adept at diagnosing and treating SCAD cases and was working with one of its leading physicians, Tara Holder, an interventional cardiologist.

“Carol was working with me on a heart attack,” Holder said. “Talk about the poster child for denial. Why would you have a heart attack doing a (procedure for a) heart attack?”

Holder explained Poole experienced a feature common to SCAD patients: pain in other parts of the body besides the chest. For Poole, the pain seemed centered in her neck.

Holder explained that just as she’s had SCAD patients as young as their early 20s and as old as 81, the types of pain those patients experience can be highly variable.

Related: Technology saved his life. A $400K gift to Prisma gives others the same chance.

‘Listen to your body’

Poole said her experience confirms something she’s heard from countless women patients over the years who said they didn’t know what was going on but felt something in their bodies was not right.

“The biggest thing with women — and I’ve heard a lot of women — (say) ‘I don’t know that anything’s wrong, but something’s just not right.’

“Listen to your body,” Poole said.

Holder said this is particularly true with women regarding heart health in general and SCAD in particular. Research on the phenomenon is still in its early stages and in many ways is being driven by women cardiologists like Holder.

“We’re learning a lot about [SCAD],” Holder said. “There’s a lot of awareness, thankfully, about it in this group … (but) there’s so many questions unanswered in this space, which is a little frustrating but exciting.”

Two resources helping to advance knowledge and awareness of SCAD are the SCAD Alliance and the International Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection Registry. Holder said the iSCAD registry is specifically designed to help drive research so new and better protocols and standards of care can be developed

The expertise at identifying and treating SCAD at Prisma’s Heart and Vascular Institute is being driven in part by the frequency with which they see SCAD patients, which is often as many as three or more a month.

Holder said SCAD has been considered a rare type of heart attack but her and her team’s experience shows this is not the case.

For Poole, her team’s experience and expertise meant she was treated quickly and ended up only being out of work for six weeks.

“Listen to your body and don’t delay because time is muscle,” Poole said. 

She added that delaying treatment after the onset of symptoms or that feeling of something not being right can lead to worse outcomes.

“It’s so much better to come in and not need to be seen than to come in late and not do as well,” she said. 

She said she was also extraordinarily fortunate her heart attack happened while she was surrounded by a team who had the exact set of skills to diagnose and treat her SCAD as it was happening.

“I feel so blessed,” she said.

What is SCAD?

Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection is a type of heart attack that occurs when a tear develops in a heart blood vessel wall and is the leading cause of heart attacks in women under 50, pregnant women and new mothers.

Good to know

According to the American Heart Association, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women and accounts for 1 in 3 deaths each year.

The post An Upstate heart catheter tech had a heart attack. She learned why women often ignore the danger signs. appeared first on GREENVILLE JOURNAL.

DPH confirmed six new cases on Feb. 24 and an additional six on Feb. 27, bringing the outbreak total to 985.

As of Friday, there are 61 people in quarantine and two in isolation.

In the past seven days, DPH has confirmed school exposures at Sugar Ridge Elementary, Libertas Academy, Willow Creek Gathers Homeschool Co-op and Mabry Middle.

Additionally, a public exposure has been confirmed at the Spartanburg Costco on Sunday, Feb. 22, from 2 to 6 p.m.

According to DPH, the risk of exposure at the Spartanburg Costco is limited to the specific date and times specified. Exposures occurred only when an infectious person was present during the defined time and therefore the location is not a source of ongoing exposure. 

The post Feb. 27 Upstate SC measles update: Outbreak grows by 12 cases in past week appeared first on GREENVILLE JOURNAL.

The latest cases bring the outbreak tally to 973 with 105 people in quarantine and seven in isolation.

DPH has also confirmed new public exposures at the following places and time:

• Spartanburg Community College, 107 Community College Drive, Spartanburg — Tuesday, Feb. 17, from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• Costco – Spartanburg, 211 W. Blackstock Road, Spartanburg —Tuesday, Feb. 17, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
• Tabernacle of Salvation Slavic Church, 150 Outlet Road, Spartanburg — Sunday, Feb. 15, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Westgate Baptist Church, 1990 Old Reidville Road, Spartanburg — Wednesday, Feb. 11, from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

According to DPH, the risk of exposure in the locations is limited to the specific dates and times specified. Exposures occurred only when an infectious person was present during the defined time and therefore these locations are not a source of ongoing exposure.

An additional school exposure was confirmed at Mabry Middle in Inman, and individuals from Libertas Academy and Inman Intermediate remain in quarantine.

The post Feb. 20 Upstate SC measles update: 11 new cases with 105 in quarantine appeared first on GREENVILLE JOURNAL.

The new cases bring the outbreak total to 962 with 127 people in quarantine and eight in isolation.

The new public exposure occurred at the Walmart 11410 Anderson Road in Powdersville on Feb. 8 from 4-8 p.m.

Libertas Academy in Spartanburg was also confirmed to have again experienced an exposure with DPH reporting 17 individuals in quarantine from that exposure. Less than five people remain in quarantine at Inman Intermediate School.

According to DPH, the risk of exposure in the locations is limited to the specific dates and times specified. Exposures occurred only when an infectious person was present during the defined time and therefore these locations are not a source of ongoing exposure.

The post Feb. 17 Upstate SC measles update: 12 new cases, public exposure in Powdersville appeared first on GREENVILLE JOURNAL.

The outbreak total stands at 950 with 186 people in quarantine and 9 in isolation.

The places and times of the new public exposures are as follows:

• Itto Ramen Bar, 1807 Poinsett Highway, Greenville — Thursday, Feb. 5, from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.
• HomeGoods, 1125 Woodruff Road, Greenville — Thursday, Feb. 5, from 10 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
• Children’s Medical Center, 841 S. Buncombe Road, Greer — all day on Wednesday, Feb. 4, and Friday, Feb. 6.

According to DPH, the risk of exposure in the locations is limited to the specific dates and times specified. Exposures occurred only when an infectious person was present during the defined time. 

According to DPH, these locations are not a source of ongoing exposure

The post Feb. 13 Upstate SC measles update: 17 new cases with public exposures in Greenville, Greer appeared first on GREENVILLE JOURNAL.

As researchers and scientists work to better understand this disorder, the potential of nutritional supplements has been a major focus. But astute shoppers looking for naturally derived products with clinically proven ingredients — without dangerous additives — often find few options.

The Advanced Cardio Care supplement from Garner’s Natural Life is a comprehensive formulation designed to deliver results. It combines four science-backed ingredients to support heart, vascular and metabolic function:

• BergaMonte® bergamot orange fruit extract is rich in polyphenolic compounds that are believed to have lipid-lowering, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
• ViNitrox® grape whole plant extract drives nitric oxide production to enhance vascular function, circulation and blood flow.
• BenfoPure benfotiamine improves glucose utilization to support metabolic and vascular health.
• Cocrysta ubiquinol promotes energy production at the cellular level with the bioactive form of CoQ10.

Advanced Cardio Care also provides antioxidant protection to help reduce oxidative stress and support endothelial healing. Vegan, non-GMO and gluten-free, it also contains no sugar, salt, yeast, peanuts, soy, tree nuts, preservatives or artificial colors and flavors.

Learn more about how Advanced Cardio Care could be your ideal solution for heart health maintenance, athletic performance and overall cardiovascular resilience from the experts at Garner’s Natural Life.

The post A naturally derived, science-backed solution to enhance heart health appeared first on GREENVILLE JOURNAL.

This brings the Upstate outbreak total to 933 with 235 people in quarantine and 16 in isolation.

According to DPH, the source for the Lancaster County case is still being investigated.

The health agency has also identified new school exposures at Libertas Academy and Inman Intermediate, and 23 individuals remain in quarantine at Lyman Elementary.

Vaccination continues to be the best way to combat the outbreak and slow the spread of the disease. Measles vaccines are available at many primary care provider offices, pharmacies and at DPH health clinics.

DPH will deploy a mobile health unit to Spartanburg County on Feb. 13  and March 3 to offer free MMR vaccines. The unit will be at Zion Hill Baptist Church, 34 Blackstock Road, Inman, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Feb. 13; and at Grace Community Church, 570 Magnolia St., Spartanburg, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on March 3.

For more information, visit dph.sc.gov/diseases-conditions/infectious-diseases/viruses-parasites-bacterial-infections/measles-rubeola.

The post Feb. 10 Upstate SC measles update: Outbreak total climbs toward 1K with 13 new cases appeared first on GREENVILLE JOURNAL.

The total number of cases now stands at 920 since the outbreak began. There are currently 277 people in quarantine and eight in isolation.

Several new public exposures were identified, including:

• Target at 6025 Wade Hampton Blvd. in Taylors on Jan. 30, 8-10:15 p.m.
• Rick Erwin’s Level 10 Restaurant at 225 W. Main St., Unit 100, in Spartanburg on Jan. 29, 7 p.m.-midnight
• Boost Mobile at 1515 Asheville Hwy. in Spartanburg on Jan. 29, 2-5 p.m.
• Social Security Administration at 145 N. Church St. in Spartanburg on Jan. 29, 1-4 p.m.

Vaccination continues to be the best way to combat the outbreak and slow the spread of the disease, according to DPH. Measles vaccines are available at many primary care provider offices, pharmacies and at DPH health clinics.

DPH reported a significant increase in vaccinations in January. More than 16,800 doses were administered statewide compared to 7,000 the previous January. In Spartanburg County, where the majority of the outbreak cases are located, vaccinations increased 162% year-over-year.

A mobile vaccination unit will be available at no cost at the following dates and locations:

• Feb. 13, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Zion Hill Baptist Church, 34 Blackstock Road, Inman
• March 3, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Grace Community Church, 570 Magnolia St., Spartanburg.

Measles symptoms to watch for typically begin 7-12 days (but up to 21 days) after exposure, and include cough, runny nose, and red watery eyes, and fever followed by a rash two to three days later that starts on the face then spreads to the rest of the body.

For more information, visit dph.sc.gov/diseases-conditions/infectious-diseases/viruses-parasites-bacterial-infections/measles-rubeola.

The post Feb. 6 Upstate SC measles update: 44 new cases, public exposures in Taylors, Spartanburg appeared first on GREENVILLE JOURNAL.

GiveByCruising donates 70% of its booking commissions to Blood Cancer United, formerly The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The Greenville-based company has committed to donating at least $1 million to the global nonprofit organization over the next five years. 

John Kopchinski and his son co-founded GiveByCruising in May 2025. The travel agency operates under the Dream Vacations franchise, helping customers book cruises, all-inclusive vacations and luxury trips. 

Advancing lifesaving blood cancer research is a personal mission for Kopchinski, whose wife was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2023. Kimberly Kopchinski, a three-time cancer survivor, received treatment at the Prisma Health Cancer Institute in Greenville and support from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. She is now in remission and works alongside her husband as a travel agent for GiveByCruising. 

The local travel agency plans to match donations up to $250,000 made to Blood Cancer United during Myeloma Awareness Month each March through 2028. GiveByCrusing will also serve as a corporate sponsor for the global nonprofit, contributing $50,000 annually over the next five years. John Kopchinski said they hope to be a long-term matching partner for Blood Cancer United. 

“We think that this has the power to do good,” John Kopchinski said. 

Approximately 21.7 million Americans are projected to go on ocean cruises this year, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA). John Kopchinski explained that if a small percentage of those trips are booked through GiveByCruising, the travel agency would generate significant funding for Blood Cancer United. 

Coker Powell, executive vice president and chief revenue officer at Blood Cancer United, said they are deeply grateful for the partnership with GiveByCruising. Blood Cancer United aims to cure blood cancer and improve patients’ quality of life. 

“(GiveByCruising’s) unique model — turning every vacation booked into direct support for urgently needed research — reflects a powerful passion for helping patients live longer, fuller lives,” Powell said. “We hope this inspires other companies to imagine how their business can also create a lasting impact.”

GiveByCruising’s offices are located at 3447 Pelham Road in Greenville. For more information, visit jkopchinski.dreamvacations.com/home-page. 

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According to DPH, it is not clear if the Sumter County case is related to the ongoing outbreak centered in Spartanburg County or may be related to infections in other parts of the country.

The latest cases bring the total case count to 876 with DPH reporting 354 people in quarantine and 22 in isolation.

The most recent public exposure sites are in Sumter County and involve a restaurant and two grocery stores.

DPH will deploy a mobile health unit to Spartanburg County on Feb. 6 to offer MMR vaccines. The unit will be at Macedonia Baptist Church, 520 S. Daniel Morgan Avenue, Spartanburg, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday.

Measles symptoms to watch for typically begin 7-12 days (but up to 21 days) after exposure, and include cough, runny nose, and red watery eyes, and fever followed by a rash two to three days later that starts on the face then spreads to the rest of the body.

Vaccination continues to be the best way to combat the outbreak and slow the spread of the disease. Measles vaccines are available at many primary care provider offices, pharmacies and at DPH health clinics.

For more information, visit dph.sc.gov/diseases-conditions/infectious-diseases/viruses-parasites-bacterial-infections/measles-rubeola.

The post Feb. 3 Upstate SC measles update: 29 new cases, with 354 in quarantine appeared first on GREENVILLE JOURNAL.

The new school exposure happened at Lyman Elementary, and the number of students to be quarantined is still being determined.

The new public exposure occurred at Burger King, 6196 US 221 South, in Roebuck on Wednesday, Jan. 28, between 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. People who were exposed at the restaurant — particularly those without immunity from vaccination or previous disease — should monitor for symptoms through Feb. 18.

According to DPH, the measles outbreak total is now 847 cases. There are 443 people in quarantine and 20 in isolation. Students remain in quarantine at 12 other schools, primarily in Spartanburg County.

Measles symptoms to watch for typically begin 7-12 days (but up to 21 days) after exposure, and include cough, runny nose, and red watery eyes, and fever followed by a rash two to three days later that starts on the face then spreads to the rest of the body.

Vaccination continues to be the best way to combat the outbreak and slow the spread of the disease. Measles vaccines are available at many primary care provider offices, pharmacies and at DPH health clinics.

For more information, visit dph.sc.gov/diseases-conditions/infectious-diseases/viruses-parasites-bacterial-infections/measles-rubeola.

The post Jan. 30 Upstate SC measles update: 58 new cases, additional school and public exposures appeared first on GREENVILLE JOURNAL.

The outbreak still seems largely confined to Spartanburg County, but cases have been confirmed in Anderson, Cherokee and Greenville counties. DPH reports there are 557 people in quarantine and 20 in isolation.

New school exposures

New school exposures have been identified at Dorman High, Inman Intermediate and New Prospect Elementary in Spartanburg County. The number of students required to be in quarantine at these schools is still being determined, according to DPH.

Just shy of 340 students remain in quarantine at 20 previously identified schools, almost all of which are in Spartanburg County.

Measles symptoms to watch for typically begin 7-12 days (but up to 21 days) after exposure, and include cough, runny nose, and red watery eyes, and fever followed by a rash two to three days later that starts on the face then spreads to the rest of the body.

Vaccination continues to be the best way to combat the outbreak and slow the spread of the disease. Measles vaccines are available at many primary care provider offices, pharmacies and at DPH health clinics.

For more information, visit dph.sc.gov/diseases-conditions/infectious-diseases/viruses-parasites-bacterial-infections/measles-rubeola.

The post Jan. 27 Upstate SC measles update: 89 new cases, more school exposures appeared first on GREENVILLE JOURNAL.

There are 485 people in quarantine and 10 in isolation. While most of the cases are centered in Spartanburg County, cases have also been identified in Anderson, Cherokee and Greenville counties.

New school exposures

DPH is also reporting new school exposures at the following locations:

• Colley Springs Elementary (Spartanburg County) — 22 students quarantined
• Cannons Elementary (Spartanburg County) — 8 quarantined students
• Abner Creek Middle (Spartanburg County) — students in quarantine to be determined
• Mayo Elementary (Spartanburg County) — students in quarantine to be determined
• Sugar Ridge Elementary (Spartanburg County) — students in quarantine to be determined

Students remain in quarantine from the following schools: Holly Springs-Motlow Elementary (59), Campobello Gramling School (46), Libertas Academy (28), Crestview Elementary (22), Boiling Springs Elementary (21), Starr Elementary (17), Fairforest Elementary (13), Berry Shoals Elementary (13), Rainbow Lake Middle (12), Global Academy (11), Boiling Springs High (11), Landrum High (6), Oakland Elementary (6), Mabry Middle (6) and Chapman High (fewer than 5).

New public exposures

DPH has also identified new public exposures at the following places and times:

• Anytime Fitness at 3621 Boiling Springs Road, Boiling Springs — Tuesday, Jan. 13, from 6:10 p.m. to 10:10 p.m
• United States Post Office at 504 Pennsylvania Avenue, Greer, — Tuesday, Jan. 13, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
• Goodwill at 1333 W. Wade Hampton Boulevard, Greer — Tuesday, Jan. 13, from 10:20 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Aldi at 1560 W. Floyd Baker Boulevard, Gaffney — Saturday, Jan. 17, from 4 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.

People who were exposed at Anytime Fitness, the United States Post Office, or Goodwill — especially those without immunity through vaccination or previous disease — should monitor for symptoms through Feb. 3. Those exposed at Aldi should monitor for symptoms through Feb. 7. 

Measles symptoms to watch for typically begin 7-12 days (but up to 21 days) after exposure, and include cough, runny nose, and red watery eyes, and fever followed by a rash two to three days later that starts on the face then spreads to the rest of the body.

DPH has launched a new Measles Dashboard with additional data and details about the outbreak.

According to state epidemiologist Linda Bell in a Jan. 21 media briefing, the overwhelming majority of cases so far have occurred in Spartanburg County and in unvaccinated individuals. Bell stressed that vaccination continues to be the best way to combat the outbreak and slow the spread of the disease.

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