The measles outbreak in the South Plains region of Texas has grown to 223 cases. 29 of those infected have been hospitalized and one school-aged child has died, according to a new update from the Texas Department of State Health Services.

Since it started in late January, the Texas measles outbreak in the South Plains region of the state has surpassed 200 cases. Here's what we know.

More than 200 cases of measles have been confirmed in West Texas since late January, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.

Texas' largest measles outbreak in three decades grew to 223 cases on Tuesday. Twenty-nine people have been hospitalized and one child has died.

Measles is caused by a highly contagious virus that's airborne and spreads easily when an infected person breathes, sneezes or coughs. It is preventable through vaccines, and has been considered eliminated from the U.

Since the beginning of the year, Texas has had 227 measles cases, including 29 hospitalizations and the death of one child, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services' latest numbers Tuesday.