The measles outbreak centered in northwest Texas grew to 683 cases and spread to three new counties on Friday, according to health officials. The latest update from the Texas Department of State Health Services adds 20 new cases since the agency's last update on Tuesday.

Since the measles outbreak began in West Texas, 87 people in Texas have been hospitalized, and two school-aged children have died.

By Sriparna Roy (Reuters) -Measles cases in Texas rose 3% to 683 over three days, the state's health department reported on Friday, as nationwide cases of the childhood disease approach the 1,000-mark.