NC child treated for measles after out-of-state visit to area linked to outbreak in SC

POLK COUNTY, N.C. (WTVD) -- A child in North Carolina has been treated for a presumed positive case of measles, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. NCDHHS released the information on Wednesday afternoon.

They said the disease developed in a child who is unvaccinated and lives in Polk County. Prior to developing symptoms, the family visited locations in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, an area linked to a large ongoing measles outbreak in Upstate South Carolina, DHHS says.

The child has since recovered but showed signs of being infected just before Christmas, DHHS said in a news release.

This is the second measles case recorded in North Carolina this year and the first believed to be related to the South Carolina outbreak. The first measles case involved an international traveler in June 2025. NCDHHS recommends that all unvaccinated individuals aged one year and older receive the measles vaccination to protect themselves and those around them.

NCDHHS is working closely with the Polk County Health and Human Services Agency - Public Health Division to identify locations and times where people might have been exposed to this child while they were infectious for measles. The dates are Dec. 18 through Dec. 26.

Anyone who might have been exposed will be contacted to determine if they have immunity to measles and to discuss actions that might be needed to lower the risk of further spread.

To protect the family's privacy, NCDHHS said it won't be releasing any other information about this child.

The first reported case of measles in a child in North Carolina was in June. The child diagnosed was visiting Forsyth and Guilford counties from another country where measles outbreaks have recently been reported, according to NCDHHS.

The child diagnosed was visiting Forsyth and Guilford counties from another country where measles outbreaks have recently been reported, according to NCDHHS. The identities of the child and their family will not be released.

"Measles is a highly contagious disease, and it spreads quickly in children and adults who are not vaccinated. All North Carolinians should ensure that they and their families are up to date on their MMR vaccine," State Epidemiologist Zack Moore told ABC11 earlier this month.

His response came after a person who lives out-of-state traveled through Terminal 2 at Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) while infectious with measles. Wake County Public Health and NCDHHS said the traveler arrived at the terminal for an early morning flight on Dec. 10.

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