Measles is not often seen in the United States, but Americans are growing more concerned about the preventable virus as cases continue to rise in rural West Texas.

Using these little bumps, called fusion proteins, measles enters white blood cells and makes copies of itself. As the white blood cells travel throughout the body, they inadvertently spread the viral particles to organs such as the lungs, liver and, in rare cases, the brain.

Health officials in Maryland have confirmed the state's first measles case for the year amid expanding outbreaks in Texas and New Mexico. The Maryland Department of Health said in a statement Sunday that a Howard County resident with recent international travel history has tested positive for the highly contagious disease.