According to a press release, the CDC has deployed Epidemic Intelligence Service disease detectives to South Carolina at the state's request, working alongside both the South Carolina Department of Public Health and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services to contain and prevent measles outbreaks.

Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) specialists will conduct on-the-ground response activities and analyze outbreak data from both states in partnership with state and local officials. Their work will focus on identifying transmission patterns, strengthening containment strategies, and guiding targeted vaccination and prevention efforts.

The CDC's surge support package includes an epidemiologist already embedded with the South Carolina Department of Public Health, advanced laboratory testing and genomic sequencing to rapidly identify and track cases, outbreak modeling, wastewater testing expansion, real-time situational assessments, case classification support, post-exposure prophylaxis guidance, and funding for response activities. Vaccines are available upon request. Additional resources are being coordinated through the CDC Foundation.

Acting CDC Director Jay Bhattacharya participated in a national webinar with more than 2,000 public health partners to discuss the agency's containment role and gather input from state and local leaders. The CDC continues to emphasize that the benefits of the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine outweigh the risks, that serious reactions are rare, and that high MMR vaccination coverage protects infants and others who cannot be vaccinated.

"Trust is the foundation of public health, earned through openness, honesty, and guided by the best available evidence," Bhattacharya said. "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."

Source: CDC