In South Carolina, a measles outbreak has prompted quarantine measures affecting more than 250 individuals, including many unvaccinated school-aged children. This outbreak has impacted over 110 people and is occurring during a year marked by a resurgence of measles, a disease that had been declared eliminated in the United States for over two decades.

The majority of cases have been reported in Spartanburg County, located along the northern border of the state. The virus has been spreading within the community, with exposures occurring in various locations, including a church, a healthcare facility, and several schools. The outbreak began in October and shows no signs of abating, which health officials attribute to the county's vaccination rates being lower than desired.

Dr. Linda Bell, the state epidemiologist, indicated that in the 2024-25 school year, approximately 90 percent of students in Spartanburg County received all required childhood vaccinations, including the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. This figure is slightly below the national average and significantly below the 95 percent threshold recommended by health experts to effectively control the spread of measles. Additionally, many schools with students currently in quarantine report vaccination rates that fall below 90 percent, according to state data. This situation highlights ongoing challenges related to public health and vaccination compliance, particularly in the context of community health and safety.

In a separate but related public health concern, the U.S. Treasury Department is increasing scrutiny of money transfer businesses, particularly those serving the Somali community in Minnesota. This initiative follows allegations of fraud, including a notable case involving the nonprofit organization Feeding Our Future, which is accused of misappropriating approximately $300 million in pandemic relief funds intended for school meal programs. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that these investigations are part of a broader initiative by the Trump administration, which has previously made controversial claims regarding the Somali diaspora without substantial evidence.

The Treasury Department plans to implement new regulations requiring money transfer services to enhance verification processes, with assistance from the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network and the Internal Revenue Service. Bessent emphasized that Treasury personnel are actively engaged in gathering facts on the ground, although the claims linking misused funds to terrorism remain unverified and no charges have been filed against individuals for terrorism-related offenses.