Texas and New Mexico's health departments said on Friday measles cases in their states have risen to 444, an increase of 74 infections since their last reports three days ago, as the U.S. deals with one of the largest measles outbreaks in a decade.

The measles outbreak that began in the South Plains region surged to 400 cases across Texas on Friday, with dozens more reported in New Mexico and Oklahoma. The latest update from the Texas Department of State Health Services added 73 infections,

Texas' outbreak began two months ago. State health officials said Friday there were 73 new cases of measles since Tuesday, bringing the total to 400 across 17 counties — most in West Texas. Forty-one people have been hospitalized since the outbreak began, and Andrews and Midland counties were new to the list.