The Texas Department of State Health Services on Friday, reported 597 measles cases in the state since late January, an increase of 36 since the update on Tuesday.
According to the department, the outbreak is primarily in West Texas. It added that 4% – or at least 30 of the confirmed cases – are estimated to be actively infectious since their rash onset date was less than a week ago.
The department, earlier this week, reported 561 cases in the state, as the US government said it was sending seven people to the state to help fight the outbreak of the childhood disease.
DAILY POST reports that the total number of patients hospitalized since the outbreak surged by four to 62 and the total deaths remained at two, which were school-aged children living in the outbreak area.
The Texas department further stated that additional cases are likely to occur in the outbreak area and the surrounding communities, due to the highly contagious nature of this disease.
