(CNN) — A measles outbreak that began when unvaccinated Amish missionaries traveled to the Philippines has more than doubled in size in 10 days, Ohio health officials reported Friday.
At least 143 people have caught the disease, according to figures posted to the website of the Ohio Department of Health. That’s up from 68 infected as of May 13.
As of May 16, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had received reports of 216 cases in 15 outbreaks across the country, the highest number of cases in the United States since 1906.
Ohio health officials said some of the patients there have had to be hospitalized, but most have recovered on their own.
Measles is a highly contagious disease that causes fever, runny nose, reduced appetite and rash. It can cause severe illness and even death is some people, and is easily preventable through vaccination.
Ohio officials said they have vaccinated some 800 people for measles since the outbreak began, including members of the Amish community where the outbreak is centered.
U.S. officials have warned travelers to get vaccinated against measles before going to the Philippines, where the disease is rampant.
CNN’s Jacque Wilson, Trisha Henry, Tina Burnside and Dave Alsup contributed to this report.
