South Carolina, January 28, 2026
South Carolina is grappling with a significant measles outbreak, surpassing previous records with 789 confirmed cases, primarily in Spartanburg County. This drastic increase follows just five cases reported in October. Alongside this public health crisis, a lawsuit has been filed against a Murrells Inlet restaurant over severe injury caused by a seafood dish. The state’s official health department is working to address the escalating situation amid growing public health concerns.
South Carolina
Rising Public Health Concerns and Local Legal Action Mark Recent Days
South Carolina is currently navigating a significant public health challenge as a measles outbreak within its borders has escalated dramatically, now surpassing the total recorded cases from Texas’s 2025 outbreak. This unwelcome development marks the largest measles outbreak the United States has experienced in nearly three decades. Concurrently, in Murrells Inlet, a lawsuit recently filed has drawn attention to individual concerns regarding food safety, seeking recompense for a woman who reportedly required surgery after consuming a seafood dish at a local establishment.
State Grapples with Measles Resurgence
As of January 27, 2026, the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) reported 789 confirmed cases of measles. The outbreak is primarily centered in Spartanburg County, located in the northwestern part of the state. This figure now exceeds the 762 cases documented in West Texas during its 2025 outbreak. The current situation in South Carolina represents a rapid escalation, having begun with just five cases in October 2025, and seeing an additional 89 new cases confirmed since Friday. The spread of the virus was reportedly accelerated by holiday gatherings and travel.
The human dimension of this public health crisis is evident, with at least 18 individuals, including both adults and children, requiring hospitalization due to complications arising from the disease. A substantial majority of those affected in South Carolina were not vaccinated; only 20 of the 789 reported cases involved individuals who had received the full two-dose vaccine. Over 690 individuals were completely unvaccinated, 14 had received only the first dose, and the vaccination status of 60 patients remains unknown. The presence of numerous public exposure sites indicates that measles is actively circulating within the community, elevating the risk of infection for those who lack immunity, either through vaccination or prior natural infection.
National Context of Measles Trends
This challenging situation in South Carolina unfolds within a broader national context of increasing measles activity. The year 2025 was recorded as the nation’s worst year for measles spread since 1991, with 2,255 confirmed cases and nearly 50 different outbreaks nationwide. As of Thursday, January 22, 2026, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had already confirmed 416 measles cases nationwide this year, representing nearly 20% of the entire 2025 case total. Tragically, three unvaccinated individuals, including two children in Texas, succumbed to the disease nationwide in 2025. This persistent threat underscores the delicate balance of public health and the profound consequences when collective immunity wanes, inviting reflection on the responsibilities inherent in community well-being.
Murrells Inlet Restaurant Faces Lawsuit Over Alleged Injury
In a separate but equally pertinent development concerning individual well-being and consumer protection, legal action has been initiated in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina. A lawsuit was recently filed against Wahoos Fish House, located at 3993 U.S. 17 Business. The plaintiff, Deborah Hauck, alleges that a severe injury resulted from a meal she consumed at the establishment.
According to the lawsuit, on October 11, 2024, Ms. Hauck ordered a dish of mussels in white wine tomato cream sauce. Shortly after she began to eat, she reportedly experienced a sharp, piercing pain in her throat. Subsequent medical examination at Conway Medical Center revealed a shell “dangerously” lodged in her esophagus, which necessitated surgical removal. The lawsuit claims that the removed shell was present in the sauce served by the restaurant and was unknowingly ingested, leading to her condition.
The legal filing asserts that the incident caused “excruciatingly painful injuries” and attributes this to the restaurant’s alleged negligence in failing to adequately inspect the food before serving it to patrons. Ms. Hauck is seeking a jury trial for both actual and punitive damages, a measure intended to address the human and economic costs incurred from this unforeseen event.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the current number of measles cases in South Carolina?
- As of January 27, 2026, the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) reported 789 confirmed cases of measles.
- How does South Carolina’s measles outbreak compare to Texas’s 2025 outbreak?
- South Carolina’s current measles outbreak, with 789 cases, has surpassed the 762 cases documented in West Texas during its 2025 outbreak.
- When did the South Carolina measles outbreak begin?
- The current outbreak began with just five cases in October 2025.
- How many people have been hospitalized in South Carolina due to measles?
- At least 18 individuals, including both adults and children, have required hospitalization due to complications from measles in South Carolina.
- What percentage of affected individuals in South Carolina were vaccinated?
- Only 20 of the 789 reported cases involved individuals who had received the full two-dose vaccine. Most affected patients in South Carolina were not vaccinated.
- Who is suing the Murrells Inlet restaurant?
- Deborah Hauck has filed a lawsuit against Wahoos Fish House in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina.
- What is the nature of the lawsuit against the Murrells Inlet restaurant?
- The lawsuit alleges that Ms. Hauck required surgery after a shell from a seafood dish, specifically mussels in white wine tomato cream sauce, became “dangerously” lodged in her esophagus.
- When did the incident at the Murrells Inlet restaurant occur?
- The incident at Wahoos Fish House occurred on October 11, 2024.
Key Features of the South Carolina Measles Outbreak (State-level)
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Current Cases (as of Jan 27, 2026) | 789 confirmed cases |
| Primary Location | Spartanburg County, northwestern part of South Carolina |
| Comparison to Texas 2025 | Surpasses Texas’s 2025 outbreak total of 762 cases |
| Outbreak Start | October 2025 |
| New Cases (Since Jan 23, 2026) | 89 new cases |
| Hospitalizations | At least 18 individuals, including children |
| Vaccination Status (Fully Vaccinated) | Only 20 of 789 cases |
| Significance (National) | Largest measles outbreak in the United States in nearly three decades |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
