outbreak

There were no new measles outbreak cases to report in Texas in the last week, and the number of counties on the Texas active outbreak list has dropped to two.

Texas added seven new confirmed measles cases linked to the outbreak total this week.

The state health department is reporting 744 confirmed cases of measles linked to the West Texas outbreak since January. That is the same number it reported on Tuesday.

The cases were in El Paso and Midland counties.

The total number of confirmed cases linked to the region's measles outbreak is now up to 738.

Ninety- four people have been hospitalized with measles since it first broke out in Gaines County in January.

Gilbert Handal witnessed the devastating toll of measles on children in a Chilean hospital before the vaccine. Now, he warns of the dangers of forgetting that past.

The bill would allow a vaccine exemption form to be downloadable. Currently, a form must be requested from the state and mailed to the recipient.

Officials say an unvaccinated child in Sedgwick County has tested positive for measles.

Health care professionals said the only way to prevent measles is to receive two doses of the MMR vaccine. Measles complications can include pneumonia, hearing loss, meningitis, and death.