15 states reporting cases of measles, outbreak now second-highest since 2014

Fifteen states have now reported cases of measles to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The CDC's latest report also added nearly 50 cases, bringing the total to 314 as of March 21.

Kentucky, Georgia, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Texas, and Washington have now all reported cases in the outbreak.

The outbreak has been linked to travelers who brought the measles back from other countries facing outbreaks such as Ukraine and Israel. There were 372 cases reported in 2018 according to the CDC. So far, the current outbreak is the second-highest since 2014.

The CDC says the majority of people with measles were unvaccinated and the issue could continue as travelers from overseas bring the disease back to the United States.

The CDC says the virus can be spread through coughing and sneezing. The virus can live for up to two hours in an area where an infected person coughs or sneezes. Others who breathe in the virus or touch the infected surface can then become infected if they touch their eyes, nose, or mouth.