Texas state health officials said Friday there were 36 new cases of measles since Tuesday, bringing Texas' total to 259. Five more people were hospitalized, for a total of 34. The outbreak has spread to two new counties: Cochran in West Texas with six and Lamar in the northeast part of the state with four.

(Reuters) -The Texas health department reported 259 measles cases in the state on Friday, an increase of 36 cases from its previous count on March 11, as one of the largest outbreaks the U.S. has seen in the last decade 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.