The measles outbreak in the United States now exceeds 500 cases, the second-highest total recorded in a decade, according to a tally of state health department data compiled in the first three months of the year.
An ongoing outbreak in Texas accounts for 400 confirmed cases, including 41 hospitalizations and one death since late January. New Mexico, Kansas, and Oklahoma have also linked local outbreaks to the Texas cases.
Medical experts recommend that people with suspected cases of the highly contagious virus should take precautions before visiting a doctor’s office or the emergency room.