After a measles outbreak in Texas and 31 confirmed cases in Montana this year, public health officials are preparing for a back-to-school season that could potentially see the spread of the contagious disease.

A respiratory disease caused by a virus, measles is one of the most contagious of all infectious diseases, according to the Montana health officials. It affects up to 90% of unprotected people with close exposure to an infected person.

While death rates have fallen worldwide as more children receive the measles vaccine, the virus still kills one to three out of every 1,000 children who become infected with it due to respiratory and neurological complications.

As of Aug. 20, the 31 confirmed cases in Montana had resulted in two hospitalizations. While the bulk of the cases were in

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