The measles epidemic continues to spread in the United States, with a significant outbreak in South Carolina that has already surpassed the mark of 600 confirmed cases. Health authorities reported on Tuesday (20) that the disease’s advance is occurring amid growing public distrust of vaccines, a factor that has contributed to measles’ reemergence in developed countries, reports the Folha de São Paulo.
The current scenario represents the worst measles outbreak in the United States in more than 30 years. In 2025, the country recorded more than 2,200 cases of the disease and three deaths associated with infection complications. In 2026, the numbers are still on an upward trajectory, indicating the persistence of the health crisis.
In South Carolina, the state health department recorded 88 new cases since last Friday (16), raising the total to 646 infections since the outbreak was identified in the second half of last year. According to local authorities, the majority of infected individuals had not been vaccinated against measles.
Cases have been identified in various educational settings, including elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as two universities, increasing the risk of community transmission of the disease.
The Secretary of Health in US President Donald Trump’s administration, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known for his vaccine skepticism, has been accused of contributing to the crisis’ worsening by fueling fears about immunizations at a time when experts advocate boosting vaccine coverage as the primary containment strategy.
Measles is a highly contagious disease characterized by fever, respiratory symptoms, and skin rashes. In severe cases, it can progress to pneumonia and encephalitis, posing a risk of death, especially among unvaccinated children and people with compromised immune systems.
Fonte: brasil247.com