The measles outbreak in West Texas now counts almost 600 cases, according to Texas health data released Friday. The 597 cases is 36 more than were tallied Tuesday, according to information from Texas Health and Human Services.

Texas health officials reported over 560 measles cases in the state Tuesday, days after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced 712 confirmed cases of measles in the U.S. as outbreaks of the highly contagious illness have also been reported in Arkansas,

Measles cases in Texas rise to 561, with a focus on the impact in Gaines County and the importance of vaccination.