Measles, a disease declared eradicated in the United States in 2000, is making a deadly comeback. Cases are spreading in over a dozen states, mainly among unvaccinated youngsters. The outbreaks focus fresh attention on the value of early immunization to prevent or minimize the highly contagious virus that causes fever, rash, cough, runny nose and watery eyes.

Texas had 223 confirmed cases as of March 12, with 29 people hospitalized and the death of an unvaccinated child. New Mexico has 33 verified cases, including one death. New cases surfaced last week in Oklahoma and Vermont, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) tracked additional patients in 12 other states. The Canadian province of Ontario counts about 200 cases since Feb. 27.

Overall, the nationwide risk for widespread measles is low, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control, "due to robust U.S. immunization and surveillance programs and outbreak response capacity." For example, the federal Department of Health and Human Services directed 2,000 doses of vaccine to be sent to Texas. Public schools there require children to have certain vaccines, including one protecting against measles and mumps, but parents can get an exemption for "reasons of conscience," including religious beliefs.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime anti-vaccine activist who is the president's secretary of health and human services, initially reacted to the outbreak by claiming it was "not unusual" and saying that good nutrition might protect people from the worst effects – which include ear infection, diarrhea, pneumonia and brain damage. Kennedy acknowledges that vaccines "not only protect individual children from measles, but also contribute to community immunity." A key to vaccine efficacy is making sure enough people get the shot, which is why states require certain shots before pupils begin elementary school. "Vaccines usually protect people for life against measles," the CDC says.

Doctor says: "This is a disease that should not be a thing anymore in this country. We have a vaccine that prevents it and the ability to eradicate it." -- Dr. Taison Bell, University of Virginia medical school chairman

CDC says: "More cases are expected as this outbreak continues to expand rapidly."

U.S. Cabinet member says: "If you are healthy, it’s almost impossible for you to be killed by an infectious disease in modern times." – Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., secretary of health and human services