Measles is rarely seen in the United States, but Americans are growing more concerned about the preventable virus as cases continue to rise in rural West Texas.

A rapid spreading measles outbreak across the United States has Alabama health care professionals pushing for vaccinations, especially among children.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the last confirmed measles death in the United States was in 2015. There are also nine measles cases in eastern New Mexico, but the state health department said there is no direct connection to the outbreak in Texas.

Measles was considered eliminated in the United States in 2000 — so why is it making a comeback? Dr. Sanjay Gupta reports from West Texas where there’s a growing outbreak to answer your pressing questions on the virus and explain how to protect yourself and your family.

Measles cases in the United States last year were nearly double the total for all of 2023, raising concerns about the preventable, once-common childhood virus.

Here's a look at the global measles situation after the United States registered its first death from the disease in 10 years.

More measles cases are being confirmed across the United States as health officials work to treat patients in an ongoing outbreak in Texas. The Kentucky Department for Public Health

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the last confirmed measles death in the United States was in 2015. There are also nine measles cases in eastern New Mexico, but the state health department said there is no direct connection to the outbreak in Texas.

The CDC said the last confirmed measles death in the United States was in 2015, before this latest outbreak killed an unvaccinated child in Texas.

The United States registered its first measles death since 2015 this week after an unvaccinated child died during an outbreak in rural West Texas. NewsNation’s medical contributor Dr. Dave