Texas Measles Outbreak Slows With 7 New Cases, But Toll Reaches 709

Friday, state health officials reported only seven new cases of the measles outbreak spreading across northwest Texas. This is down from earlier this spring, when 50 new cases were reported every week. They said there have been 709 measles cases in Texas since the outbreak started in late January. This is the most significant outbreak in the United States in at least 25 years.

So far, 89 people have been treated because of the virus. Sadly, two children, an 8-year-old girl and a 6-year-old girl, have died after getting sick. This past week, Texas added 26 new cases. This is less than the 37 cases reported the week before and much less than the high point in March.

Five hundred three infections have been reported in Gaines County, which has about 57% of the state's cases. Five of the seven new cases reported on Friday were in El Paso County, which now has fifty instances. Officials from DSHS said that the transfer is still going on in eight Texas counties, including Lubbock. However, nearby Garza and Lynn counties are no longer seeing active spread.

Over 95% of the cases have happened in people who have not been vaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown. About two-thirds of cases are kids and teens. Measles is a very common virus that can lead to serious problems. However, the DSHS says fewer than 10 people in Texas are infected.

States nearby, like New Mexico and Oklahoma, also deal with cases that came from the spread in Texas.