Texas is now reporting 223 measles cases in the outbreak that began in Gaines County. There are dozens more cases in New Mexico, too.

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.