Three siblings in Buncombe County, North Carolina, have tested positive for measles after visiting Spartanburg County, South Carolina, where a significant measles outbreak is ongoing. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) and Buncombe County Health and Human Services announced the new cases on January 6, 2026. No further information about the family will be released to protect their privacy.
Health officials report that NCDHHS has been in communication with the South Carolina Department of Public Health since the start of the outbreak response. They urge all unvaccinated individuals aged one year and older to receive the measles vaccine.
Potential exposure may have occurred at Mission Hospital Emergency Department’s waiting room in Asheville between 2:00 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. on January 4, 2026. NCDHHS is working with local health authorities and Mission Hospital to identify people who may have been exposed, assess their immunity status, and discuss measures to prevent further spread.
Testing for measles is not recommended unless symptoms develop. Measles symptoms can appear seven to twenty-one days after exposure and include fever and rash. Anyone who develops symptoms should contact their local health department immediately, avoid exposing others, and call ahead before seeking medical care.
Residents are encouraged to consult healthcare providers or local health departments for vaccination information or appointments. Children eligible for the Vaccines for Children program can receive vaccines from participating providers. An online tool is available from NCDHHS to help residents check their immunity status.
“People need to be aware that the risk of being exposed to measles is growing,” said Dr. Zack Moore, NCDHHS State Epidemiologist. “Measles can be a very serious disease, so staying up to date on all recommended vaccines by checking with your health care provider is an important step we can all take to protect the health and well-being of our loved ones and our communities.”
Measles spreads through direct contact or through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes; the virus can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area.
According to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of December 30, 2025, there were 2,065 confirmed measles cases across 44 states this year—the highest count since widespread use of the second dose of MMR vaccine began in the early 1990s.
More information about measles is available at dph.ncdhhs.gov/measles.
