Measles cases in Spartanburg County up to six

Over the past two weeks, six cases of measles have been identified in Spartanburg County, according to a statement from the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.

The first case was reported Oct. 30, with two more cases reported Nov. 2. On Thursday, DHEC reported three more measles cases in the county. The measles virus is highly contagious and spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

DHEC has notified healthcare providers to be on alert for patients with signs or symptoms of measles. DHEC is also notifying people who may have been exposed to measles in specific settings.  People who had measles visited local urgent care facilities while they were infected.

Those who visited AFC at 1667 E. Main St., Duncan on Oct. 26 between 11:35 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.; MEDcare Urgent Care at 301 E. Wood St., Spartanburg, on Oct. 27 between 4 and 7:15 p.m.; or the Greer Memorial Hospital emergency room at 830 S. Buncombe Road, Greer, on Oct. 27 between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. are asked to contact the Spartanburg County Health Department at 864-596-3337.

"I can't encourage people enough to review their immunization records and make sure they are up-to-date on all vaccinations," DHEC state epidemiologist Dr. Linda Bell said in a statement. "The best way to prevent measles is to get vaccinated."