US Measles Cases Rise 12% in a Week to Reach 800 in 24 States

The US has 800 confirmed cases of measles, a 12% increase from the week prior in an outbreak that has reached nearly half the country.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 88 new cases Friday in 24 states. Two unvaccinated children have died as a result of the virus in Texas, the epicenter of the outbreak. Another death in New Mexico was linked to the disease and is still being investigated.

The majority of confirmed cases have been among unnvaccinated individuals. The measles vaccine is 97% effective after two doses, the CDC says.

Texas reported Friday that ...