The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reaffirmed its commitment on Mar. 9 to protecting communities across the United States as it works with the South Carolina Department of Public Health and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services to contain and prevent measles outbreaks. At South Carolina’s request, CDC disease detectives from the agency’s Epidemic Intelligence Service are supporting on-the-ground response activities, including analyzing outbreak data in partnership with state and local officials.
The CDC’s efforts are important as they help identify transmission patterns, strengthen containment strategies, and guide targeted vaccination and prevention efforts. These actions aim to protect communities from further spread of measles.
To support these initiatives, the CDC is providing a range of resources tailored to regional needs. This includes assigning experienced technical and epidemiologic experts—such as a CDC epidemiologist already embedded with the South Carolina Department of Public Health—offering advanced laboratory testing, genomic sequencing support, robust data analysis, outbreak modeling, wastewater testing expansion, real-time situational assessments, direct support for case classification and mitigation strategy development, vaccines upon request for rapid response efforts, expert guidance on infection prevention and control measures, educational resources for community outreach, strategic risk communication support, funding for response activities, and ongoing coordination with partners including resources from the CDC Foundation.
Acting CDC Director Jay Bhattacharya recently joined a national webinar attended by more than 2,000 public health partners to discuss the agency’s role in preventing and containing measles. Bhattacharya said: “Trust is the foundation of public health, earned through openness, honesty, and guided by the best available evidence. As we work with partners across the country to contain measles, I can assure you we’re listening and are here to offer a wide range of tools, including vaccine supplies, to state and local public health partners.”
Bhattacharya also shared a public video message outlining CDC’s comprehensive measles response. He highlighted close coordination with states and continued emphasis on Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccination as an effective tool to prevent measles nationwide.
The CDC continues to stress that MMR vaccination benefits far outweigh risks; serious reactions are extremely rare; vaccination reduces infection likelihood; limits outbreak spread; and high coverage protects those who cannot be vaccinated. The agency remains engaged in providing transparent updates so communities have what they need to prevent or contain outbreaks.
