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.

Measles has been spreading across the U.S. for the last several weeks, sickening people in at least nine states amid a growing outbreak in western Texas. Several people have been hospitalized and at least one unvaccinated school-aged child in Texas has died,

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.

Texas health officials say the number of people with measles has increased to 146 in rural West Texas outbreak that led this week to the death of a school-aged child who was not vaccinated.

Texas is experiencing its largest measles outbreak in 30 years, primarily affecting the South Plains region. A child has died and several people have been hospitalized by the extremely contagious disease that was once considered eradicated,

Vaccination provides long-lasting 97% protection against measles infection. Most people who have been vaccinated do not need to be vaccinated again.

Measles is a highly contagious airborne disease caused by a virus, and can be severe or even fatal. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the best way to protect yourself against measles is to get vaccinated. Here, TIME answers all your questions about the vaccine.

A recent outbreak of measles is prompting questions about the life-threatening disease and how to prevent it. Here's what to know.