Feb 12, 2026 - News
South Carolina measles outbreak expands and Raleigh warns of exposures
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The United States is facing its largest outbreak of measles in decades, and North Carolina health authorities are now warning of potential exposures in Raleigh and Durham.
Wake County health authorities alerted that a contagious person visited five locations around northwest Raleigh last week:
- Brier Creek: O2 Fitness and Everbowl in the afternoon Feb. 5
- Strickland Road: Harris Teeter at Leesville Towne Centre in the early evening Feb. 5. Walgreens across the street in the afternoon Feb. 6.
- Creedmoor Road: Harris Teeter in Towne North in the early evening on Feb. 5.
South Durham has several potential exposures as well:
- Garret Road: Goodwill around midday Feb. 6.
- Woodcroft: Chubby's Tacos around midday Feb. 6.
- Southpoint: Plato's Closet in the afternoon Feb. 6.
The latest: North Carolina is up to 18 cases in this outbreak, many spilling over from South Carolina, according to the state.
How it works: Measles is highly contagious, and generally hits unvaccinated children the hardest. Symptoms can take three weeks to appear.
- About 1 in 5 unvaccinated people who contract it are hospitalized. About 1 in every 20 children develop pneumonia as a result — "the most common cause of death from measles in young children," the CDC says.