Texas Measles Cases Rise To 505

The AP (4/8, Stengle) reports the Texas Department of State Health Services added 24 measles cases to its count, now reaching 505 cases. The state also “expanded the number of counties in the outbreak area this week to 10.” Lubbock Public Health Director Katherine Wells said that seven cases were reported “at a day care where one young child who was infectious gave it to two other children before it spread to other classrooms.” CDC officials “met with Texas officials Monday to determine how many people it would send to West Texas to assist with the outbreak response, spokesman Jason McDonald said Monday. He expected a small team to arrive later this week, followed by a bigger group on the ground next week.” Reuters (4/8, Sunny, Singh) adds that measles cases in “Gaines County, the center of the outbreak, rose to 328 from 315 on Friday, Texas’ health department said. The state reported one additional hospitalization from the infection, bringing the total number to 57.” The vaccination rate in Gaines County “is about 82%, below the 95% rate considered necessary to be protective for those who cannot be vaccinated.”