CABARRUS COUNTY, N.C. — Two cases of measles have been confirmed in Cabarrus County, marking the first recorded cases in the region.
The Cabarrus Health Alliance is actively working to contain the outbreak and emphasizes the importance of vaccination.
The measles outbreak started Wednesday night when two siblings were diagnosed at a free-standing emergency room in Harrisburg.
While they live in Cabarrus County, the children do not attend school in the area, which health officials believe may help limit further spread of the virus.
Health officials are urging anyone who visited the emergency room from 9:30 p.m. Wednesday to 3:30 a.m. Thursday to contact them for further guidance.
Erin Babbitt, from the Cabarrus Health Alliance, stated, “It is an aerosolized virus, so handwashing is great, but that’s not going to prevent spread of the measles.”
Babbitt also indicated that the children had not been fully immunized, adding, “I think this is a good reminder of the importance of immunization.”
In response to the outbreak, Harrisburg parents expressed mixed views about vaccinations.
One concerned parent stated, “I think alternative and natural methods of dealing with outbreaks like this would be more advisable, something you know for sure would not cause any of these side effects.”
In contrast, Roberto Garcia, a local parent, emphasized the necessity of vaccinations, saying, “I think everybody should try and take care of their children so it doesn’t keep spreading further.”
Overall, there are No. 9 measles cases reported in North Carolina: two in Cabarrus County, five in Buncombe County, one in Rutherford County and one in Polk County.
Meanwhile, South Carolina has reported a total of 558 cases of measles, with 124 new cases since its last update. More than 90% of the cases in South Carolina are in children.
The health department is continuing its investigation into how the children contracted the virus, whether through travel or local exposure.
Health officials urge anyone with symptoms to call their provider and not show up unannounced at emergency departments, as Babbitt mentioned, “Call your provider first please do not just show up at the emergency department unannounced; we want to try and contain this.”
VIDEO: Health officials urge vaccinations after measles detection in Mecklenburg County
©2026 Cox Media Group
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/LH3JSJEF3VBLRJLJQESEAG34AM.png)
