The number of measles cases in Rockland County is on the rise.

There are now 25 confirmed cases of measles, and another eight suspected cases. Health officials expect that number to continue to rise.

The outbreak started after five people traveling to and from Israel were infected. In just a month's time, 20 more people contracted the measles in the area.

According to Rockland Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schabel Ruppert, more children have contracted the potentially deadly disease than adults. There's also an order in place stopping children that are not immune from attending class.

“We're only excluding children from schools where there has been an exposure in their school," she says.

Health officials say all schools should have a list of students who are unvaccinated to prepare for potential exposures at their school. They are urging the public to find out if they've received the MMR vaccine.

So far, more than 2,000 people in Rockland have been vaccinated since late September when the measles outbreak hit the region. The Health Department hopes more people will get vaccinated to help stop virus from spreading. It’s holding a free vaccine clinic next week.