Texas announces end to measles outbreak that killed 2, sickened hundreds

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00:00Texas health officials say the state's measles outbreak that hospitalized 99 people and killed two children is over.

00:10Public health officials say no new cases have been reported in more than six weeks.

00:15In total, the state reports 762 people contracted measles since the outbreak in West Texas began in January.

00:22The agency's commissioner said in a statement Monday,

00:25we arrived at this point through a comprehensive outbreak response that included testing,

00:31vaccination, disease monitoring, and educating the public about measles.

00:35Public health officials declare an outbreak over after 42 days of no new cases based on the virus's incubation period and exposure.

00:45Measles is transmitted through the air.

00:47Health officials say despite the declaration, measles still remains a threat.

00:51They say more cases are likely in Texas due to the virus's current presence in North America.

00:57Officials continue to push vaccines as the key to prevention,

01:01noting two doses of the MMR vaccine is more than 97 percent effective at preventing measles.

01:07Texas health officials also say they will continue monitoring new cases,

01:12but will no longer update the state's interactive outbreak dashboard.

01:16For more on this story, download the Straight Arrow News app or visit san.com.

01:19For Straight Arrow News, I'm Kaylee Carey.