— Health officials confirmed an unvaccinated child in Polk County, North Carolina, tested positive for measles after visiting exposure sites in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, linked to an ongoing upstate outbreak. The child developed symptoms before Christmas and has recovered, authorities said. North Carolina officials identified this as the state’s second measles case in 2025 and the first thought to be connected to the South Carolina cluster. State health leaders urged eligible people to check vaccination status and get immunized.
Key Takeaways
- One unvaccinated child in Polk County tested positive for measles after travel to exposure locations in Spartanburg County, South Carolina.
- The child developed symptoms prior to Christmas and has since recovered; further personal details were withheld to protect privacy.
- This is North Carolina’s second confirmed measles case in 2025; the first involved an international traveler in June 2025.
- North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) coordinated with the South Carolina Department of Health during the response.
- NCDHHS recommends measles vaccination for everyone aged 1 year and older; public messaging emphasized MMR vaccine as primary prevention.
- Health officials did not release specific exposure site names in Polk County; contact tracing and risk notifications remain ongoing.
Background
Measles is a highly contagious viral illness that has reappeared in pockets of the United States where vaccination coverage has dipped. The United States declared measles eliminated in 2000, but importations and clusters linked to under-vaccinated communities have produced outbreaks in recent years. In late 2025, health departments in upstate South Carolina reported a large outbreak centered in Spartanburg County, prompting cross-jurisdictional coordination as exposed travelers returned home.
State and local public health agencies routinely use case investigations, laboratory confirmation, and contact tracing to limit spread. When a case occurs outside the outbreak epicenter — as with the Polk County child — officials assess travel history, identify potential exposures, and recommend post-exposure actions for unimmunized contacts. Protecting vulnerable groups, including infants under 1 year and people with weakened immune systems, remains a priority during such responses.
Main Event
According to a NCDHHS announcement on Dec. 31, 2025, the Polk County child had visited locations in Spartanburg County that are associated with the ongoing South Carolina outbreak. The child began to show measles symptoms before Christmas and later tested positive; health authorities reported the patient has recovered. To protect family privacy, officials declined to disclose additional personal information or precise Polk County exposure sites.
NCDHHS said it had been in regular communication with the South Carolina Department of Health since South Carolina’s response began. State epidemiologists are continuing contact tracing to identify any North Carolina residents who might have been exposed and to offer vaccination or other recommendations to close contacts. Local clinics and health departments were alerted to increase vigilance for febrile rash illness in patients with relevant travel histories.
This Polk County confirmation represents North Carolina’s second measles case in 2025. The state’s first instance, recorded in June, involved an international traveler who had recently returned from a country with active measles transmission. Public health messaging has emphasized verifying immunization records for people who traveled to or from affected areas.
Analysis & Implications
Even a single imported or travel-associated measles case can spark wider transmission when immunity gaps exist. Measles requires high population immunity — typically around 92–95% coverage with two MMR doses — to prevent sustained spread. The Polk County case underlines how outbreaks in one state can produce cases across state lines via routine travel, especially when exposed individuals are unvaccinated.
For public health systems, cross-jurisdictional coordination is essential. Shared surveillance, rapid laboratory testing, and timely contact notification reduce secondary cases; the NCDHHS–South Carolina collaboration demonstrates these standard containment steps. However, resource strains can arise when outbreaks expand or if multiple jurisdictions see simultaneous importations.
The case also has implications for public settings such as schools, childcare, and healthcare facilities. Administrators should ensure immunization records are up to date and follow state guidance on exclusion policies for unimmunized people after exposure. Clinicians must consider measles in patients with fever and rash who have relevant travel or exposure histories to enable prompt isolation and testing.
Comparison & Data
| Characteristic | June 2025 NC case | Dec. 2025 Polk County case |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | International traveler | Exposure in Spartanburg County, SC |
| Patient vaccination status | Not publicly specified | Unvaccinated |
| Case outcome | Confirmed | Recovered |
| Public health action | Contact tracing, alerts | Interstate coordination, contact tracing |
This table contrasts the two confirmed North Carolina measles cases in 2025: the June case linked to international travel and the December case linked to a domestic outbreak in South Carolina. The comparison highlights varied importation pathways and recurring public health responses — confirmation, contact tracing, and vaccination outreach.
Reactions & Quotes
State health leaders reiterated vaccination as the primary preventive tool and urged people to verify immunization status.
“Getting vaccinated against measles continues to be the most important step we can take to protect ourselves and our loved ones.”
NCDHHS State Epidemiologist Dr. Zack Moore
The federal public health agency emphasizes measles’ contagiousness and the role of the MMR vaccine in prevention.
“Measles is highly contagious; vaccination is the best protection for individuals and communities.”
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Unconfirmed
- Specific Polk County exposure locations and the timeline of local exposures have not been released by officials and remain undisclosed.
- Whether additional North Carolina cases will be identified in connection with the Spartanburg outbreak is not yet known; investigations and contact tracing are ongoing.
Bottom Line
The Polk County measles confirmation shows how outbreaks can cross state lines via normal travel and how a single unimmunized person can contribute to local transmission risk. Public health officials underscore that high immunization coverage and prompt case investigation are the most effective tools available to prevent further spread.
Residents should check vaccine records and contact their healthcare provider or local health department if they suspect exposure or have symptoms consistent with measles. Health departments will continue surveillance and cross-state collaboration as they monitor for additional cases and protect vulnerable populations.