South Carolina is facing a public health warning sign that cannot be ignored: a rapidly growing measles outbreak has already surpassed 140 cases, forced hundreds of students into quarantine, and is spreading even faster than COVID or the flu. Measles is one of the most contagious viruses known – capable of infecting people before they realize they're sick.
States across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic have formed a regional public health collaboration to coordinate vaccine recommendations, share data, and prepare for public health emergencies together, stepping in as federal agencies face instability and political turmoil. South Carolina deserves the same level of protection.
Sign now to urge South Carolina to join, or create, a regional public health coalition to protect residents before this crisis escalates further.
While South Carolina faces these mounting threats, COVID-19, flu, and RSV cases are rising across the state as families gather indoors for the holidays, pushing emergency rooms to capacity and straining hospitals and schools alike. But, other states aren't waiting for federal leadership that may never come.
Measles alone is one of the most contagious viruses known, spreading before symptoms even appear. COVID and flu cases are expected to continue climbing as people travel and gather indoors. Without strong coordination, clear guidance, and shared resources, families are left navigating a dangerous winter on their own.
South Carolina can either remain isolated as illnesses spread, or it can work collaboratively to protect lives, schools, and healthcare systems.
Sign the petition now to demand that South Carolina join an existing regional health coalition or lead the creation of its own, because waiting is not a plan, and public health emergencies don't pause for politics.
