The Texas health department reported no new cases of measles on Friday, the first time the state has not recorded an increase since the outbreak began in February. The state, which is the epicenter of the current measles outbreak,

Texas health officials reported just one new measles case over the last week, an apparent signal the spread of the highly contagious illness has slowed in the state, after a slight uptick in cases was reported in dozens of other states.

Data from the Texas Department of State Health Services tracking the measles outbreak in West Texas showed no new cases of the disease on Friday since the Tuesday update was released. On Tuesday, the department reported 742 cases have been confirmed since late January in the West Texas region.