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The Texas Department of Health has reported 20 more cases of measles since its previous update last Friday.
Since the outbreak began in late January, 58 patients have been hospitalized.
The majority of the incidents are in Gaines County, where the outbreak is at its centre.
Two school-age children died from complications of the virus. Both lived in outbreak areas and were not vaccinated.
State updates take place every Tuesday and Friday.
Medical experts said the only way to prevent measles is to receive two MMR vaccines. Complications of measles include pneumonia, hearing loss, meningitis, and death.
The latest update comes days after San Antonio’s Metropolitan Health district reported that it would end vaccinating children after losing some of those vaccines to federal financial support.
Federal vaccinations for children have been cut from $3 million to $2.5 million, according to a memo from mayor Eric Walsh. He said the grants cannot cover vaccine clinical projects.
According to a new Propublica report, the Centers for Disease Control recently filled out warnings about the possible outbreak of measles and the need for people to get vaccinated.
The grant was originally awarded in 2021 and had an expiration date in mid-2025. However, the grant last month required MetroHealth to close 23 temporary agency positions.
The vaccine service provided by Metro Health will end on June 30th, explained Sonia Gonzales, public health manager at Metro Health. The reduction in grants also affects five MetroHealth positions. These workers were advised that their position was excluded on June 30th.
Measles, mumps and rubella vaccines are one of the many that clinics offer to the public. The end of these vaccination services comes as Texas is experiencing the worst measles outbreak the state has seen in 30 years.
