The area of Short Creek, which bridges the Arizona-Utah border, has seen nearly 160 measles cases and counting.

The Louisiana Department of Health on Monday reported the state's third measles case of the year and warned that those who were at the New Orleans airport the night before may have been exposed.

Measles elimination status means a country has not experienced an uncontrollable spread of the virus for at least one year.

With nearly 800 cases and rising concern across the Southwest, experts warn the U.S. could lose measles eradication status without higher immunization rates.