South Carolina officials have ordered nearly 153 unvaccinated children to be quarantined following a measles outbreak at two schools, according to the state’s Department of Public Health. The students, who attended Global Academy of South Carolina and Fairforest Elementary School in Spartanburg, will remain in quarantine for over three weeks but may participate in remote classes.

The outbreak, which began on September 25, has resulted in eight cases linked to the Upstate region and 11 measles cases statewide this year. Health officials confirmed all infected individuals were unvaccinated and lacked immunity from prior infections. Spartanburg County has the state’s highest rate of religious vaccine exemptions, with approximately 6% of children opting out.

Measles spreads easily before symptoms appear, with contagious periods lasting four days before and after the rash develops. Initial signs include fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes, followed by a rash that persists for five to six days.

Michael Osterholm, an infectious disease expert, warned of increasing quarantine measures, stating, “Expect more of the same. This is going to happen more and more frequently.”