In its latest update, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) reported 198 cases of measles across West Texas.
The number of cases in neighboring New Mexico also tripled in a day to 30, local health officials said.
In Texas, the DSHS said 23 out of the nearly 200 patients were hospitalized as of Friday morning. Officials said most cases were among patients who were not vaccinated.
“Due to the highly contagious nature of this disease, additional cases are likely to occur in the outbreak area and the surrounding communities,” reads an update posted Friday. “DSHS is working with local health departments to investigate the outbreak.”
One fatality associated with the outbreak has been recorded in Texas — an unvaccinated school-aged child. Officials could not specify the exact age of the child who passed, or if they suffered any underlying health issues.
Across the state border in Lea County, N.M., an unvaccinated resident tested positive for measles after passing away. That county had reported 10 measles cases on Thursday, but the state health department said the number of cases in the area shot up Friday to 30.
