Los Angeles, Mar 19 (UNI) The U.S. state of Texas has identified 279 measles cases since late January as the outbreak continues to grow in the state, according to data released by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) on Tuesday.

Among the confirmed cases, 36 patients have been hospitalised. Most cases - 120 - have been in kids and teenagers aged from 5 to 17.

There has been one fatality in a school-aged child who lived in the outbreak area. The child was not vaccinated and had no known underlying conditions, according to DSHS.

Due to the highly contagious nature of this disease, additional cases are likely to occur in the outbreak area and the surrounding communities, said the state health agency.

New Mexico has the second-highest number of cases at 38, and the outbreak has resulted in one death of an unvaccinated resident, according to the state's department of health.

The United States reported a total of 301 confirmed measles cases as of last Friday, according to the latest data of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

UNI XINHUA ARN