Americans are growing more concerned about the preventable virus as cases continue to rise in rural West Texas.

Health officials say the best way to prevent measles, which can have serious complications, is through vaccination.

Twenty-five years after the disease was declared “eliminated” in the U.S., cases are rising again, with a Texas outbreak now spreading to New Mexico. Measles cases continue to rise in the United States nearly two and a half decades after the virus had been declared eliminated in the country.

Texas now has 146 reported cases of measles statewide. Officials in San Antonio warn hundreds, if not thousands of people may have been exposed to a single infected patient. Doctors say the best protection against infection is vaccination.

Measles was thought to be eliminated two decades ago. But growing mistrust in vaccines has changed that, and now some people may need booster shots for protection.

The West Texas measles outbreak continues to grow, now possibly spreading into the central part of the state and neighboring New Mexico, health officials said Friday.

Measles is highly contagious. Without a vaccine, 9 out of 10 people exposed to measles will become infected, the CDC said. About 1 to 3 of every 1,000 children with measles will die, usually from pneumonia or neurologic complications.

The CDC put out a statement on the measles outbreak and suggested that vitamin A could be used for supportive care. Is vitamin A effective for measles?

Measles cases popping up across the United States, including an outbreak in Texas that has led to the death of a child, are prompting questions about where exactly the illness has been detected.Measles is one of the most contagious infectious diseases,

Kennedy Jr. said ending the measles outbreak in Texas is a top priority for him and listed the steps his agency had taken to combat the spread of disease, including supporting the state’s vaccine efforts.

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases in the world. Doctors explain how to know if you need a booster during this unusually large outbreak.