By Bhanvi Satija (Reuters) -Measles cases in Texas and New Mexico rose to 294 on Friday, surpassing all U.S. cases recorded in 2024, as an outbreak that began in late January in West Texas spreads. The U.

The number of measles cases associated with an outbreak in western Texas has grown to 259, according to new data released Friday.

Nearly 230 measles cases have been identified in outbreaks in West Texas and a nearby New Mexico county. One hundred ninety-eight measles cases have been reported in the West Texas outbreak, the Texas Department of State Health Services said in an update Friday — 39 more confirmed cases since an update on Tuesday.

Health officials say West Texas now has almost 200 measles cases and New Mexico's case number has tripled to 30. The case counts were updated on Friday.

Adjoining counties in northwest Texas and eastern New Mexico account for 256 cases of measles with 223 in Texas and 33 in New Mexico, respective state health authorities announced Tuesday.

Cases in the ongoing measles outbreak have risen to 258 across Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma, and state health departments are urging more people to get the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine.

Philadelphia hospital patients were also warned about possible exposure to the highly contagious virus just days after a warning for Dulles airport travelers.

Two people have died from measles as the U.S. faces outbreaks of the highly contagious virus. Can you get measles if you're vaccinated? Experts explain.

Los Angeles County in California, Suffolk County in New York and Howard County in Maryland detected their first confirmed cases of measles this year, while Oklahoma reported two possible cases, local health authorities said this week.