A rapidly spreading outbreak of measles in Texas has claimed the loves of two people, including a child.

BBC News says confirmation came from the state’s health department, which said the child was unvaccinated.

The child is believed to be the first person in the US in nearly a decade to die from the highly contagious disease.

The Texas Department of State Health Services said it was aware of 124 cases diagnosed since the outbreak began in early January.

101 of the cases were in patients 17 and younger.

The US declared measles “eliminated” in 2000, but the country has seen outbreaks in recent years amid a rise in anti-vaccine sentiment.

The US Centers for Disease Control says the current outbreak is centred in north-western Texas, with measles also recently found across the state’s border in New Mexico, as well as Alaska, California, Georgia, New Jersey, New York City and Rhode Island.

Measales is a highly contagious disease caused by the measles virus.

The most common symptoms include a high fever, tiredness, cough, red or bloodshot eyes, and a runny nose.

A few days after these symptoms, persons also develop a red, blotchy rash that spreads from the face to the rest of the body.

This story has been updated.