This year’s alarming number of measles infections, which is significantly larger than any comparable period since 1996 has raised several concerns for the public health officials, who blame the parents for not vaccinating their children.

There are some rumors about the vaccines leading to autism, and even though several studies found no actual connection between the two, parents choose not to take their kids to the doctor.

In this year’s first six months, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention received reports on 131 measles cases from 15 states. There were no deaths but fifteen people had to be hospitalized.

"We're seeing a lot more spread. That is concerning to us," said Dr. Jane Seward, of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The issue demands a lot more attention than it is currently given and doctors and other government officials have begun addressing the population on the benefits of vaccines and the complications that can surface for the people without one.

“All pediatricians are spending more time speaking with parents about the rationale for vaccines,” said Dr. Andrew D. Racine, director of the division of general pediatrics at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore in the Bronx.

Measles is a highly contagious disease that infects through aerosol transmission or through contact with an infected person. The incubation period is between 4 and 12 days and the symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose and conjunctivitis which are all accompanied by an irritating and itching rash that cover the whole body.