A serious measles outbreak has been spreading across the state of South Carolina, especially in Spartanburg County, where vaccination rates were seen at a new low and exemptions were common.
Amid this outbreak, a 7-year-old boy named Ethan was hospitalized with measles encephalitis, which is a rare but serious complication that gives rise to swelling of the brain. It can similarly lead to paralysis and long-term neurological damage.
Despite the severity linked to this condition, his mother continues to speak about how she would not have vaccinated him against the virus, even knowing the devastating outcome, citing personal beliefs and concerns related to vaccine safety.
The virus that causes measles is said to be extremely contagious and was once nearly eliminated in the US thanks to widespread vaccination. However, recent declines in vaccination rates have enabled outbreaks to appear again and grow.