Additional Measles Cases in North Carolina, NCDHHS Shares New Measles Dashboard

PRESS RELEASE - The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced two additional cases of measles in unvaccinated siblings in Buncombe County. This brings the total number of North Carolina measles cases to seven since late December. Both cases are connected to the ongoing measles outbreak in Spartanburg County, South Carolina. To protect the family's privacy, no additional information about these cases will be released. On Tuesday, South Carolina health officials announced 124 new measles cases, bringing the total number related to their outbreak to 434.

RALEIGH

Jan 15, 2026

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced two additional cases of measles in unvaccinated siblings in Buncombe County. This brings the total number of North Carolina measles cases to seven since late December. Both cases are connected to the ongoing measles outbreak in Spartanburg County, South Carolina. To protect the family's privacy, no additional information about these cases will be released. On Tuesday, South Carolina health officials announced 124 new measles cases, bringing the total number related to their outbreak to 434.

To provide the public with updated information, NCDHHS has launched a new Measles Cases and Outbreaks Dashboard that will be updated twice per week, on Tuesdays and Fridays, with new case and exposure information.

NCDHHS continues to recommend all unvaccinated individuals ages one year and older receive measles vaccination to protect themselves and those around them. Individuals should also talk with their provider about vaccination before traveling either internationally or to an outbreak area in the United States.

All individuals who may have been exposed have been notified and any additional exposures identified during investigation will be added to Measles Cases and Outbreaks Dashboard. Laboratory testing is not recommended for people who were exposed unless they develop symptoms of measles, including fever and rash. Symptoms of measles can start seven to 21 days after being exposed. If symptoms develop, please contact your local health department right away, limit exposure to other people, and call ahead before visiting the doctor or emergency room so steps can be taken to prevent exposure to others.

North Carolina residents can contact their health care provider or their local health department for additional information on ways to obtain the vaccine and schedule an appointment. Children eligible for the Vaccines for Children program may receive the vaccine from a provider enrolled in that program. The NCDHHS measles immunity checker tool is also available for those who are unsure whether they might need additional protection.

Measles is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease that is spread by direct person-to-person contact and through the air. The virus can live for up to two hours in the air where the infected person was present. Symptoms of measles usually begin 7-14 days after exposure, but can appear up to 21 days after exposure and may include:

• High fever (may spike to more than 104 degrees)
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
• Tiny white spots on the inner cheeks, gums and roof of the mouth (Koplik Spots) two to three days after symptoms begin
• A rash that is red, raised, blotchy; usually starts on face, spreads to trunk, arms and legs three to five days after symptoms begin
• Measles can also cause complications including diarrhea, pneumonia, encephalitis (swelling of the brain), and suppression of the immune system.

With the risk for community spread increasing, parents are urged to make sure their children are up to date on all their childhood immunizations, including the measles vaccine. Two doses of the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine provides 97% protection against infection with measles

For more information about measles and the MMR vaccine, please visit dph.ncdhhs.gov/measles.

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