The number of confirmed measles cases in the second-largest US state, Texas, has reached 309 since its outbreak about two months ago, surpassing the nationwide total in 2024, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) said.
All but two cases are in people who are unvaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown, the service said, adding that at least 40 people have been hospitalized so far.
Children between the ages of 5 and 17 make up the majority of cases, at 130, the service said.
Measles will continue to spread for several more months or even a year, local health officials said, noting that the official number of cases is likely undercounted.
There have been two deaths in the US linked to measles this year, with one confirmed in Texas and one under investigation in New Mexico, an ABC News report said.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed 378 cases of measles this year in at least 17 states.
About 285 cases were reported last year across the country, according to CDC data.
(AA/BalkanWeb)
