ATLANTA — More than 1,000 confirmed cases of measles has been reported in the United States, including cases in Georgia, Atlanta-based CDC reports. CDC officials say the measles outbreak started in Texas in January.

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has confirmed seven new cases of measles since the last update on Tuesday. This brings the West Texas outbreak to some 709 cases since the outbreak began in late January. Ninety-two patients have been hospitalized because of the virus.

With less than 5% of infected individuals in Texas vaccinated, health officials highlight the urgent need for increased measles immunization rates in communities.