CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — South Carolina health officials say they've confirmed eight new cases of measles since October 24. Each case resulted from close contact with previously known cases.

It brings the statewide total to 33 for the year.

"So far, all the measles cases this year have been in unvaccinated individuals. We did have one new case in an individual who only had one of the recommended two doses of the MMR vaccine," South Carolina state epidemiologist Dr. Linda Bell.

MORE | Mecklenburg County urges measles vaccination as nearby SC outbreak grows

Dr. Bell says a single dose of the MMR vaccine protects against measles in about 93 percent of people. Two doses provide greater protection against measles, increasing the percentage of those protected to about 97 percent.

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