Health Officials Issue Alert: Measles Case Confirmed in Polk County
By Marge | Published 2026-01-01T18:13:23.705+00:00
News
WNC -- January 1. 2026: The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) has confirmed a case of measles in an unvaccinated child in Polk County. This case is linked to a large, ongoing outbreak in Spartanburg County, South Carolina. While the child has since recovered, health officials are working to identify anyone who may have been exposed during the infectious period in late December.
Key Exposure DetailsIf you were at the following locations during these times, you may have been exposed:Polk Central Elementary: All day on Dec. 18, 2025.Mercy Urgent Care Foothills: Between 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. on Dec. 23, 2025.Important Health FactsHigh Contagion: Measles is spread through the air and can live in a room for up to two hours after an infected person has left.Infection Risk: Roughly 90% of unvaccinated people will become infected if exposed to the virus.Symptoms: Look for a h