Texas' measles outbreak that began in Gaines County in January has now expanded to 709 cases, officials said on May 9.

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has confirmed seven new cases of measles since the last update on Tuesday. This brings the West Texas outbreak to some 709 cases since the outbreak began in late January. Ninety-two patients have been hospitalized because of the virus.

The Texas health department on Friday reported 709 cases of measles in the state, an increase of 7 cases since May 6, as the U.S. battles one of its worst outbreaks of the childhood disease. Cases in Gaines County,