At least two dozen cases of measles have been reported in a single county in Texas over the past two weeks, in the latest sign the disease is rebounding amid falling vaccination rates. Why it matters: Public health experts say the spread of the highly contagious and potentially life-threatening disease is preventable,

Nine of those infected were hospitalized and more cases are likely, health authorities said. U.S. vaccination rates for measles are falling, according to the CDC.

As of Tuesday, 22 children and two adults had been infected, all of whom were unvaccinated, local officials said.