The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) has identified one new case of measles in Spartanburg. And like two other cases reported earlier this week, the source of the new infection is unknown.
When health officials are unsure about where and how a person became infected, it's "worrisome," state epidemiologist Linda Bell said in a question-and-answer session with media on Nov. 12.
If the source of an infection is known, health officials can move quickly to quarantine anyone who has been infected or likely exposed to the virus.
But, as a Nov. 14 DPH explained, "Other cases have no identified source, suggesting that measles is circulating in the community and could spread further."
The majority of the 44 cases identified in the ongoing outbreak, which has persisted for close to six weeks and is centered in Spartanburg County, were traced to exposures at two lschools -- Fairforest Elementary, in Spartanburg School District 6, and Global Academy of South Carolina, a charter school.
According to DPH data, the rate of vaccination against measles at the two schools is relatively low -- 85 percent at Fairforest and 17 percent at Global Academy.
At one point, more than 120 children were quarantined in an effort that DPH officials believe helped to limit the community spread of the illness. Currently, there 18 people in quarantine, according to the Nov. 14 DPH update.
Medical experts say the MMR vaccine is a safe and effective way to prevent the spread of measles. To encourage vaccinations, the DPH will continue to station its mobile health clinic in Spartanburg.
The clinic will offer vaccinations on Monday, Nov. 17, and Tuesday, Nov. 18, from 1-4 p.m. at the Landrum Library, located at 111 East Asbury Drive.
Since Oct. 16, DPH staff administered 31 vaccine doses at the mobile clinic -- 25 to adults and six to children.
Bell said she had hoped that the mobile unit would see "more robust" traffic.
Mobile unit visits so far have focused the northern section of Spartanburg County -- Inman and Boiling Springs. Landrum is one of the northernmost communities in the county.
Asked if the locations of mobile unit visits indicates that the majority of measles infections are among families living in the northern part of the county, DPH media relations director Ron Aiken said that's not the case.
He said DPH officials are "really just looking for possible locations to be able to spread it around." He added that when the source for a measles infection is not known, "it come it can be anywhere."
Because children aren't recommended for vaccinations until 12 months of age, health officials are concerned about the possibility of community spread among infants.
The Herald-Journal asked Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System whether its affiliated physician practices or clinics have seen measles cases -- and, if so, what measures were being taken to protect those who cannot be vaccinated. A health system spokesman said in an email that there was "(n)othing new to report."