Already, the U.S. has more measles cases this year than in all of 2024, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said. Other states with outbreaks — defined as three or more cases — include New Mexico, Kansas, Ohio and Oklahoma. Since February, two unvaccinated people have died from measles-related causes.

The Texas health department said on Friday that the number of measles cases in the state rose 20% since its last report three days ago, as experts warn they expect the outbreak to further spread in coming weeks.

The measles outbreak that began in the South Plains region surged to 400 cases across Texas on Friday, with dozens more reported in New Mexico and Oklahoma. The latest update from the Texas Department of State Health Services added 73 infections,