(NEXSTAR) – Measles cases nationwide jumped dramatically this week, according to new numbers reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday.

Nearly half of states are now reporting cases of the highly contagious virus, which can spread "like a forest fire" through unvaccinated or undervaccinated communities.

At least 483 cases are now confirmed in Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, and Washington, according to the CDC.

At the

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