COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — The South Carolina Department of Public Health confirms one new case of the measles since Friday, March 13th. But, they say this is no time to let their guard down. State Epidemiologist Dr. Linda Bell says the one new case and the majority of the rest have remained centere d in Spartanburg County. “That brings the total number of cases in SC related to the Upstate outbreak to 997,” says Dr. Bell. However, with Spring Break around the corner, travel, flights, and gatherings in crowded spaces by unvaccinated people could lead to another surge in cases. “It is far too early for us to let our guard down. We will see what happens after spring break. And when we have, our numbers are low now. If they remain low, and then when we get to zero, that’s when we’ll start the clock. And we will watch that for 42 days out and hope that we will as soon as possible declare this outbreak over, but we will remain vigilant until that occurs,” she says. To assist in vigilance, Dr. Bell says a team from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention is also on-site in Columbia — helping to complete an analysis of compiled data. “And it will take some time for that analysis to be conducted and before we have any information to share from that,” she says. Of the reported cases, 95% of infected people have been found to be unvaccinated. According to SCDPH, children between the ages of 5 and 11 represent the majority of cases in this outbreak. Dr. Bell reminds everyone the best way to prevent the measles is through vaccination — which is proven to be 97% effective — and often free through the vaccines for children program, or their health insurance. “The MMR vaccine has a safety profile proven over decades, and it is this vaccine that allowed for the elimination of measles in this country a quarter of a century ago,” says Dr. Bell. To track the Upstate measles outbreak, click here. Categories: Local News, News Tags: Dr. Linda Bell, MEASLES ...read more read less