CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - New measles cases continue to be reported nationwide, causing concern for many parents.

Cases are popping up across nine states, including Alaska, California, Georgia, Kentucky, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, and Texas.

The worst outbreak is in West Texas, where at least 159 people have been infected in an under-vaccinated community.

Last month, an unvaccinated child died from measles in Texas. It's the first measles-related death reported since 2015.

So, what can they do to help keep their little ones safe?

"When we look at all the kids who are getting measles, both now and in all the previous years, the vast majority of them are not vaccinated or only have one vaccine," said Frank Esper, MD, pediatric infectious disease specialist for Cleveland Clinic Children's. "It is very rare for you to actually see a child with who received both doses of the vaccine to actually get measles."

Dr. Esper said that's why they strongly encourage parents to get their kids vaccinated.

The measles vaccine was developed back in the 1960s and is now given as part of the MMR vaccine.

The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps and rubella. All three are highly contagious viruses.

Dr. Esper said the MMR vaccine isn't just important for self-protection but also for others who are unable to receive it, like babies under the age of 12 months old.

"There are some people who can't receive the vaccine because they're immune-compromised or they're allergic to a component of the vaccine. And for those people, they really depend on all of us to be vaccinated to protect them," said Dr. Esper.

Dr. Esper calls it a ring of protection.

"If there's a child in the house who can't receive the vaccine because they're receiving cancer chemotherapy, or they were born with a weakened immune system, their other family members can all get vaccinated to protect that one child," said Dr. Esper.