The West Texas Measles Outbreak Grows To 400 Cases

The highly contagious measles virus was previously thought to be eradicated from the US but it’s still commonly found in Europe, Asia and Africa, according to the CDC.

(WBAP/KLIF) – In the past few days, doctors have reported more than 70 new cases of the measles. Since the outbreak started two months ago, 400 people have contracted the virus, and 41 of those patients have been hospitalized. Measles is highly contagious, and the virus can hang in the air for hours after someone coughs or sneezes. The surge has prompted the State Health Department to update its web site to include more data, and a map so Texans can track the cases by county, age, and when symptoms first appear.