(Reuters) -The Texas health department reported 481 cases of measles in the state on Friday, an increase from 422 on April 1, as the United States battles one of the largest outbreaks of the disease in the past decade.

The Texas health department on Friday reported that measles cases in the state increased to 481 from 422 earlier in the week, as the United States battles one of the largest outbreaks of the disease in the past decade.

ToplineMore than 420 measles cases have been confirmed across Texas as of Tuesday, according to state health officials, as an outbreak of the highly contagious illness continues spreading in several states,