Amid the rise in measles cases this year, the New York State Department of Health issued a new travel advisory on Wednesday.

Health officials are advising New Yorkers traveling out of the country or to areas experiencing an outbreak to be fully immunized against the disease.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there have already been more measles cases in the United States this year than in all of 2024.

Leaders say that people who do get measles while traveling can spread it to more people when returning home.

“Measles is more common in different places and exposure during travel is something we need to consider. It’s important that New Yorkers ensure they are up-to-date regarding being immunized against measles in some cases measles is as close as a car ride away,” State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said in a statement. “Measles can be a serious disease. It is not just a rash; it can cause pneumonia, hospitalization and even death. Protect yourself and your family against measles and make sure you are up-to-date on immunization with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.”

The DOH says around 90% of people who are nearby a person with measles will become infected if they are not vaccinated.

Health officials say 483 measles cases have been reported in the United States this year, as of March 26, with the majority in New Mexico and Texas among children who had not received the MMR vaccine.

Officials are also motoring outbreaks in Canada, specifically in Ontario, which has seen 570 of the country's more than 600 cases.

In New York, there have only been four total cases of measles documented so far this year, with no known links to each other or the outbreaks in Texas and New Mexico.

To learn more about measles and prevention methods, visit the state Department of Health website.