Texas Reports 13 New Measles Cases as CDC Arrives in State
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... Texas reported 13 new cases of measles Tuesday even as the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is sending a team of epidemiologists and doctors to help the state with the growing outbreak.

The state has now reported a total of 159 cases since the outbreak began Jan. 23. That includes the earlier reported death of one child, the first US measles fatality in a decade. Texas officials said 22 people have been hospitalized.

The CDC's team of seven is expected to arrive Tuesday afternoon to assist in investigating cases, tracking hospital exposures and giving health care providers guidance on prevention, a spokesperson for the Texas Department of State Health Services said. Texas requested help from the federal government on Feb. 28.

Katherine Wells, director of public health in Lubbock County, said she expects to get one CDC infectious disease physician as soon as Thursday to help track the outbreak and support public health communications, including answering calls from local businesses on exposure protocols.

The CDC's team of seven is just the start, Wells said. She expects the agency will send more people once it's clear what's needed. ...