Measles outbreak surges 360% with 483 cases in 21 states most coming from Texas

Measles cases exploded in the southwest this week, with more than 483 cases confirmed in 21 states, the CDC said Friday.That’s a 360% surge from the week prior, when just 105 patients were reported with measles — sparking widespread concerns that the outbreak of the once-rare virus will continue to spread across the US.Most of the cases remain in Texas, with authorities confirming that 400 people have been infected with the virus.And 270 cases have been reported in Gaines County, where the outbreak sprouted, according to the state Department of State Health Services.Two people in the Lone Star State have died since the outbreak began in January.Kansas and Oklahoma have also linked local outbreaks to the Texas cases this week.New Mexico reported one additional case this week, bringing its total count to 44.

Measles has also been detected in New York and New Jersey.Most of the infected patients fall between the ages of 5 and 19, according to the CDC, with the second-largest infected group being recorded as under 5 years old.Nearly all of the infected — 97% — are unvaccinated.The shocking caseload indicates that measles is rapidly spreading through young, unvaccinated communities.Health officials in Texas are raising alarm bells that the virus is expected to continue running rampant for several more months, and that the official case counts could be much higher.Measles is one of the world’s most contagious diseases.The way it spreads makes it especially hard to contain and outbreaks can have multiple peaks.Many people spread the measles virus unknowingly for days before the telltale rash appears.

The virus also can hang in the air for up to two hours after a sick person has left a room....