New Jersey has three confirmed cases of measles, a highly contagious respiratory virus sparking some concerning outbreaks across the country, according to the state health department. According to health officials,

The Louisiana Department of Health continues to monitor measles outbreaks in the U.S., specifically outbreaks in Texas and New Mexico.

New measles cases have been confirmed in New Jersey and Kentucky with the one common factor being a lack of measles vaccinations.

A measles alert was issued by the New Jersey Department of Health amid three cases of the highly-contagious virus in Bergen County.

New York State health officials issued an alert on Thursday urging people to get vaccinated after Texas Health officials announced the first death in the

The New Jersey Department of Health confirmed an initial measles case on Feb. 14 in an unvaccinated individual, and by Feb. 20, two additional cases were identified in people who had close contact with the original patient.

The investigation into two controversial lottery jackpots in Texas had drummed up questions about the role of online ticketing firms known as lottery couriers in the state – and nationwide.

The cases identified in New Jersey are separate from a serious measles outbreak that has swept through West Texas in the last month, with doctors diagnosing 124 cases in nine counties.