Health officials say the number of measles cases continue to increase in the U.S., and they remain concerned about unvaccinated children. They say the highly contagious disease can be dangerous and even fatal to babies and young children.

One noticeable symptom of measles is a rash. Other symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes.

Officials encourage children and adults to get vaccinated with the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine to keep the disease from spreading in schools and day care centers.

Doctors from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say there have been 121 cases of measles this year – 56% of those patients have been hospitalized for isolation or for management of measles complications.

Researchers from the CDC say the chances of widespread transmission is low for now due to extensive population immunity.

On Thursday, officials reported that the disease could lose its elimination status. In 2000, measles was officially eliminated, which meant there were no outbreaks for at least a 12-month period.

But since 2000, there have been 300 confirmed cases in the U.S., with numerous outbreaks happening near New York City.