The measles epidemic continues to expand 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 occurs amid growing public distrust of vaccines, a factor that has contributed to the reemergence of measles in developed countries, reports 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 continue 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, most infected people had not been vaccinated against measles.
Cases were identified in different educational settings, including elementary, high, and technical schools, as well as two universities, which broadens the risk of community transmission of the disease.
The Health Secretary of U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known for his vaccine skepticism, has been accused of contributing to the worsening of the crisis by fueling fears about immunizations, at a time when experts advocate expanding vaccine coverage as the main containment strategy.
Measles is a highly contagious disease characterized by fever, respiratory symptoms, and skin rashes. In more 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