(Reuters) -The Texas health department reported 722 cases of measles in the state on Tuesday, an increase of four since its last update on Friday. The number of cases in Gaines County, the epicenter of the outbreak in the state, remained unchanged from the last update at 406 cases, the Texas Department of State Health […]
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Measles cases in Texas rise by four to 722, state health department says
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(Reuters) -The Texas health department reported 722 cases of measles in the state on Tuesday, an increase of four since its last update on Friday.
The number of cases in Gaines County, the epicenter of the outbreak in the state, remained unchanged from the last update at 406 cases, the Texas Department of State Health Services said.
The United States has been battling with one of the worst outbreaks of the highly contagious infection since February that has led to three confirmed deaths and over 1,000 reported cases so far.
Scientists have warned that the U.S. is at a tipping point for the return of endemic measles, which was declared eradicated nationally in 2000, and said public health officials in the country should provide urgent endorsement for highly effective vaccines.
The measles vaccine is 97% effective after two doses, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Texas on Friday reported the lowest increase in measles cases since the outbreak, which has led to the deaths of two unvaccinated children in the state and is centered in a Mennonite community.
The outbreak has spread to neighboring states, including New Mexico, Oklahoma and Kansas.
New Mexico’s health department reported 74 cases, unchanged from its last update on Friday. Most of the state’s cases were from Lea County, adjacent to Gaines County in Texas.
(Reporting by Mariam Sunny in Bengaluru; Editing by Shinjini Ganguli)