In El Paso, Texas,  health officials are warning residents as measles cases spike across West Texas, with El Paso emerging as one of the hardest-hit cities. As of early May, 11 confirmed measles cases have been reported in El Paso County, up from just one reported case in the past five years.

“I haven’t been worried about measles until recently,” said Rita Avena, a pedestrian. “I don’t think i’ve been vaccinated for the virus and so i’m in fear that I can possibly contract it, and my kids too aren’t vaccinated so I don’t know if it will be a problem for them attending school because they cant’t afford to miss school

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that measles is one of the most contagious viruses known, capable of lingering in the air for up to two hours after an infected person has left an area. The recent outbreak has led to renewed efforts by local clinics and schools to promote vaccinations.

“I didn’t think measles could of been a risk in our city,” said Jose Ramirez, another pedestrian. “Now I am taking more precautions just in case but I’m not too worried.”

Statewide, Texas has reported 25 measles cases this year, eight times the number reported last year. Health officials attribute much of the surge to vaccine hesitancy, fueled in part by misinformation online.

`Elena Chavez, a 62-year-old  El Paso resident, said she remembers measles outbreaks from the 1970s.

“I thought this was a thing in the past,” Chavez said. “I never thought that I would ever hear about this disease again because when we had this outbreak back then, I thought it was taken care of forever.”

Despite the uptick in cases, officials stress that measles can be effectively contained if vaccination rates rise.

“This can be easily stopped,” said RN Camelia Ortega. “The vaccine is safe, effective, and widely available. But the community has to act.”

For now, the city is hosting free immunization clinics throughout May in an effort to curb the outbreak.