Measles cases in Texas and New Mexico rose to 294 on Friday, surpassing all U.S. cases recorded in 2024, as an outbreak that began in late January in West Texas spreads.

The Texas measles outbreak has surpassed 250 cases, with a new county added to the list, the state reported Friday. Health officials said 259 measles cases have been identified since late January, up from the 223 cases reported earlier this week.

Half of the newly reported cases are in Gaines County, about 80 miles southwest of Lubbock, which has been the epicenter of the outbreak. The Texas Department of State Health Services has confirmed 259 cases of measles since late January.