GEORGETOWN, S.C. — GEORGETOWN, S.C. (AP) - South Carolina health officials say they have confirmed the first case of measles in the state in 21 years.
The Department of Health and Environmental Control says a health care provider confirmed measles in a Georgetown County resident on Friday and no more details can be released under because of privacy laws.
Health officials are notifying anyone who might have been exposed.
Vaccines helped nearly eliminate measles in the U.S. in 2000, but the disease is still in other parts of the world. The highly-contagious disease is spread through the air by coughing and sneezing and can be fatal.
Doctors are urging people to make sure their vaccinations are all up to date.
DHEC said in a statement the last case of measles in South Carolina was in Charleston in 1997.