The South Carolina measles outbreak has spread to Clemson University.

The state’s Department of Public Health informed Clemson staff of a “confirmed case of measles” in an individual associated with the university, according to an update from the school published Saturday.

“The individual has isolated, per DPH requirements, and DPH is conducting contact tracing with individuals who may have been exposed and outlining isolation and quarantine protocols,” the school stated.

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Individuals thought to be exposed to the virus will be contacted via email about quarantining.

Officials are reporting 558 cases of measles centered around Spartanburg County in the current outbreak.

Some cases are travel-related exposures or close contacts with known cases, according to the DPH.

Other cases have no identified source, suggesting that measles is circulating in the community and could spread further.

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“Over the last seven to nine days, we’ve had upwards of over 200 new cases. That’s doubled just in the last week,” said Dr. Johnathon Elkes, an emergency medicine physician at Prisma Health in Greenville, South Carolina, during a media briefing Friday.

“We feel like we’re really kind of staring over the edge, knowing that this is about to get a lot worse.”

Nearly 98% of main campus Clemson students have provided proof of immunity, according to the most recent data from Student Health Services.

“The health, safety and well-being of Clemson’s campus community remains our highest priority,” the school noted.

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Measles is highly contagious, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If one person has it, up to nine out of 10 people will become infected if not protected.

“We feel like we’re really kind of staring over the edge, knowing that this is about to get a lot worse.”

A person infected with measles is contagious for four days before and after a rash begins. Isolation of an actively infectious case lasts until four full days have passed after the onset of the rash. 

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Dates of isolation are determined by DPH, according to the university press release.

Quarantine for measles is reserved for exposed individuals without documented immunity, and lasts for 21 days after the last exposure, per DPH guidelines.

If a person without documented immunity receives a dose of the MMR vaccine within 72 hours after the last exposure, that person does not have to quarantine.

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The university also claims to have previously provided guidance to students, faculty and staff regarding measles preparedness. 

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More information is available on the Student Health Services website and through the South Carolina Department of Public Health’s measles updates.

Physical decline does not wait for old age. 

A new study tracked the same people for nearly half a century, finding that measurable drops in fitness and strength begin at around age 35 and continue gradually through midlife.

The study is based on the Swedish “Physical Activity and Fitness” cohort, which began in 1971 with participants born in 1958. Researchers enrolled 427 people, a mix of men and women, and tested the same individuals repeatedly over a 47-year span, according to a press release.

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Models were used to estimate age- and sex-specific changes in the original cohort during the study period.

The follow-up examinations took place at several points across adulthood, allowing the Karolinska Institutet researchers to observe changes within individuals rather than relying on comparisons between different age groups, the release stated.

At each examination, participants underwent standardized physical testing conducted by trained professionals. Aerobic fitness was measured using tests that assessed peak oxygen uptake, a common indicator of cardiovascular capacity.

Muscle strength and muscular endurance were evaluated through controlled performance tests, including grip strength and repetitive movement tasks. Height, weight and other basic physical measures were also recorded, and participants provided information about their physical activity habits.

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By using the same tests over time, the researchers were able to track long-term trends in physical performance.

The results showed that physical performance peaks in early adulthood and begins to decline around the mid-30s.

This decline was observed across multiple measures, including aerobic fitness and muscle strength, and continued steadily into later adulthood, the researchers shared.

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While individuals who were physically active tended to retain higher overall fitness levels, activity did not completely prevent age-related decline. 

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Even so, the data showed that participants who increased their activity levels later in life improved their physical capacity by roughly 5% to 10%, demonstrating that the body remains responsive to exercise beyond peak years.

Study limitations

The study, which was published in the Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle, consisted of individuals who were born in the same year and were living in Sweden. 

This may limit how the findings apply to other populations with different social, environmental or genetic backgrounds, the researchers acknowledged.

As with any long-term study, some participants dropped out over time, which could affect how well the sample reflects the original population. 

Also, physical performance was measured at specific intervals, so short-term fluctuations between testing periods were not captured.

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In addition, while physical activity was associated with better outcomes, the observational nature of the study means other factors such as diet, occupation or health conditions may also have influenced results, the researchers stated.

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The team plans to continue following the cohort as the participants grow older, with the goal of linking changes in physical capacity to health outcomes later in life.

Martha Stewart has emphasized her focus on healthy living, as she remains physically active and engaged in business and creative pursuits well into her 80s.

On a recent episode of the podcast “50 & Unfiltered,” the lifestyle icon, 84, spoke with her longtime friend and colleague, QVC host Shawn Killinger, about a variety of topics, including wellness, resilience and living with a sense of purpose.

During the discussion, Stewart shared some of her top secrets to aging gracefully.

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No. 1: Treat aging like a discipline, not a decline

Stewart shared that she believes aging well is the result of consistent self-care, regular maintenance and long-term discipline rather than pursuing drastic fixes.

“It doesn’t appeal to me,” she said when asked about her thoughts on plastic surgery. “I have this theory that if one takes care of oneself really well and follows strict but not life-threatening kinds of disciplines, one can look good, feel good and be good for a whole life.”

No. 2: Focus on looking better, not just younger

While Stewart has said that she avoids plastic surgery, she supports other people’s personal choices. On the podcast, she shared a story of her own mother’s experience.

“My mother came to me when she was 85 and asked if I would help her get a facelift,” she said. Stewart then took her to see a well-known New York plastic surgeon.

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“He looked at her and said, ‘You’re a beautiful woman. I can’t make you look younger, but I can make you look better,’” she recalled. “So she went for it… and she looked great.”

“One of my mottos is: Learn something new every day.”

Despite her lack of interest in going under the knife, Stewart acknowledged that maintaining her appearance requires ongoing effort. 

“I’m 84 years old… and I’m trying so hard to look really good,” she said, sharing that she does have a facial wax every three months.

No. 3: Stay busy, curious and productive

Stewart has credited her busy schedule and strong curiosity as key to staying sharp and engaged well into her 80s.

“I like to work, and I like to learn, and I like to go places, and I like to be busy,” she replied when asked about her numerous commitments. “I like to be productive. One of my mottos is: Learn something new every day.”

Stewart said her parents always encouraged her and her siblings to be “really, really proactively busy and [to] learn stuff.”

When asked if she ever gets tired, Stewart admitted that she does, but said she doesn’t let fatigue slow her down. “I was sick for a week, but I had to keep working,” she said. “I can never take off.”

No. 4: Keep evolving, but don’t ‘reinvent’ yourself

One of Stewart’s most widely known mottos is, “When you’re through changing, you’re through.”

“Everybody says, ‘Oh, you’re reinventing yourself,’” she said. “I’m not reinventing.”

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Instead, Stewart embraces the idea of gradually, naturally evolving — in everything from appearance to daily habits and career pursuits.

“To reinvent means total change — but you can’t,” she said. “I’m not changing my bodily shape or anything, except to get better, hopefully.”

No. 5: Prioritize toughness and self-acceptance

Persistence and resilience are key to overcoming setbacks and achieving goals, according to Stewart. 

“I think I’ve always been tough,” she said. “I’ve lived through it all. You can’t be sensitive.”

She also distinguishes between finding happiness and being at peace with yourself.

“I’m happy with myself,” Stewart added.

No. 6: Prioritize family and physical capability

At 84, Stewart said she has “pretty much everything she needs,” and expressed a desire to spend more time with her family.

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She also emphasized the importance of maintaining the physical capability to enjoy demanding activities, like hiding, horseback riding and rafting, all of which she planned to do during an upcoming family trip to Utah.

No. 7: Be practical — and unafraid — about mortality

When the podcast conversation turned to end-of-life plans, Killinger asked Stewart about her thoughts on cremation. “I’m going to be composted,” she replied.

“When you’re through changing, you’re through.”

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When asked to elaborate, Stewart said her preference mirrors the burial of her beloved animals over the years.

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“When one of my horses dies, we dig a giant hole really deep in one of my fields,” she shared. “We have a pet cemetery, and the horse is wrapped in a thin white linen sheet and is very carefully dropped down into this giant, lovely grave. I want to go there.”

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When asked whether that’s allowed, Stewart said, “It’s not going to hurt anybody. It’s my property.”

She added that traditional burial procedures, such as coffins and tombstones, don’t appeal to her.

Fox News Digital reached out to Stewart requesting comment.