The cases of measles linked to the Texas epidemic reach 259, with only 2 among the fully vaccinated people

The number of measles cases associated with an epidemic in western Texas has increased to 259, with 36 cases reported in the last three days, according to new data published on Friday.

Almost all cases are in non -vaccinated individuals or in individuals whose vaccination status is unknown. According to the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), two cases occurred in people vaccinated with two doses, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). Revolutionary infections, when a vaccinated person is infected, is rare because the measles vaccine offers up to 97% protection after 2 doses.

Until now, at least 34 people have been hospitalized.

In the Texas epidemic, children and adolescents aged 5 to 17 constitute the majority of cases, with 115, followed by 4 -year -old children and including 86 cases, according to data.

DSHS has declared in its update that it expects more cases to be confirmed in the region and in the surrounding communities.

Two probable deaths of measles have been reported so far in the United States, one is a confirmed death associated with measles, while the other has been definitively linked to the measles virus, but the cause of death remains officially under investigation.

The first reported death was a child of school not vaccinated in Texas, according to the DSHS. The child did not have All known underlying conditionsaccording to the department.

The death of Texas was the first death in measles recorded in the United States in a decade, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Another likely death of measles was recorded last week after a non-vaccinated New Mexico resident was tested positive for the virus.

The county of Gaines is the epicenter of the Texas epidemic, with 174 cases confirmed among the residents, according to the DSHS. State health data show that the number of vaccine exemptions in the county of sheaths has developed considerably in recent years.

In 2013, around 7.5% of kindergarten children in the county had parents or tutors who filed an exemption for at least one vaccine. Ten years later, this number has increased to more than 17.5% – one of the highest in Texas, according to state health data.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have confirmed 301 cases in at least 14 states so far this year, notably Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont and Washington, according to New Data.

Until now, there are more cases this year than the entire last year, which has seen 285 cases nationwide, according to CDC data.

The majority of confirmed cases at the national level are in people who are not vaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown. Among these cases, 3% are among those who have received only one dose of inoculation of the ROR (measles, mumps and rubella) and 2% are among those which received the two doses required, according to the CDC.

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases known to humans. A single infected patient can spread measles until Nine narrow sensitive contacts out of 10According to the CDC.

Health managers have urged anyone who is not vaccinated to receive the ROR vaccine.

CDC currently recommended That people receive two doses of vaccine, the first at the age of 12 to 15 months and the second between 4 and 6 years old. One dose is 93% effective and two doses are 97% effective, indicates the CDC. Most vaccinated adults do not need a booster.

Measles was declared eliminated from the United States in 2000 due to the very effective vaccination program, according to the CDC. However, CDC data show that vaccination rates have been lagging behind in recent years.

ABC News Youri Benadjaoud contributed to this report.