New York, New York - Three people have died of measles in the US within the space of just one week. 

Following the death of a child in New York State, a woman died in Pennsylvania and a baby in Wisconsin, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced on Saturday.

The CDC says a total of around 5,200 cases have already been recorded this year in almost all states. That is more than twice as many as in the whole of last year, and it is the highest figure in decades.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the health secretary appointed by President Donald Trump, has been facing criticism for some time now due to the rising number of measles infections. He has repeatedly expressed doubts about the value of vaccinations.

Dogs Golden retriever brings his favorite broken toy to his owner, and what happens next will melt your heart!

Measles causes fever, respiratory symptoms, and a rash, and in some cases, more serious complications such as pneumonia and brain inflammation, which can lead to severe long-term health problems or even death.

Measles was declared eradicated in the US in 2000 after years of effective vaccination campaigns. But the illness has made a worrying comeback in recent years as vaccine skepticism rises alongside a growing mistrust of health authorities.