(Reuters) -The Texas health department said on Tuesday it was “cautiously optimistic” about the spread of measles in the state after it saw only one additional case since its last update.
The state recorded 729 cases of measles on Tuesday, one more since its last update on Friday.
The spread of measles in the state has shown signs of slowing down over the past two weeks.
The number of infections in Gaines County, the epicenter of the outbreak in the state, remained unchanged at 408 since the last update, the Texas Department of State Health Services said.
“We’re cautiously optimistic this trend will continue, but all it takes is the virus getting into a new pocket of people without immunity to see that change,” Chris Van Deusen, director of media relations at the Texas health department told Reuters in an email.
The United States is battling one of the worst measles outbreaks it has seen, with cases crossing 1,000 for the first time in five years and three confirmed deaths. Experts have urged public health officials to 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.
Measles is a highly contagious airborne infection that can cause serious complications, such as pneumonia and encephalitis, and can lead to death.
The outbreak in Texas has spread to neighboring states, including New Mexico, Oklahoma and Kansas.
New Mexico’s health department reported 79 cases on Tuesday, one additional case from its last update on Friday.
(Reporting by Mariam Sunny in Bengaluru; Editing by Shilpi Majumdar and Leroy Leo)
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