The measles outbreak in Texas has grown by nine cases since the last update Tuesday, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
This brings the total new cases in the last week to 10 after one was reported Tuesday. The Texas health department estimates that less than 1% of the cases, or fewer than 10, are actively infectious. Measles is infectious four days prior to and four days after rash onset.
Since the outbreak began in January in Gaines County, located in West Texas along the state border with New Mexico, 738 cases of measles have been confirmed. Two school-age children, who were not vaccinated, have died during the outbreak. Ninety four people have been hospitalized.
With 409 cases, Gaines County represents the vast majority of cases in the outbreak at 55.4%. Other counties with high case counts include Terry County, which neighbors Gaines, with 60 cases, and El Paso County with 57 cases. Lubbock County has 53 cases. Officials said the counties with ongoing measles transmission include Cochran, Dawson, Gaines, Lamar, Lubbock, Terry and Yoakum.
Another 32 cases have been reported that are not connected to the West Texas outbreak. This includes four cases in Tarrant County, two in Denton County, two in Collin County and one in Rockwall County.
Health officials earlier this week warned residents of measles exposure at four public venues in McKinney: a 24 Hour Fitness, the Cubana Grille, Market Street and the Moviehouse & Eatery.
Most of the confirmed cases have been children, according to DSHS. Children age 17 and under represented 495 cases, while children 4 and under represented 215 cases.
About 700 of the patients have been either unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status.
Measles is one of the most contagious viruses in the world and can spread rapidly among those not vaccinated against the disease. The two-dose MMR vaccine is 97% effective at preventing the illness, and health experts recommend the first dose be istered to babies between 12 and 15 months old, with a second dose given later when the child is between the ages of 4 and 6.
People who are pregnant or immunocompromised are advised not to get vaccinated.