LOS ANGELES, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warned measles cases are rising in the country, urging health providers to watch for the outbreaks.

       Between Dec. 1 last year and Jan. 23 this year, CDC was notified of 23 confirmed U.S. cases of measles, including seven direct importations of measles by international travelers and two outbreaks with more than five cases each, according to a report of the agency.

       Most of these cases were among children and adolescents who had not received a measles-containing vaccine.

       Measles cases often originate from unvaccinated or undervaccinated U.S. residents who travel internationally and then transmit the disease to people who are not vaccinated against measles, according to CDC.

       The increased number of measles importations seen in recent weeks is reflective of a rise in global measles cases and a growing global threat from the disease, said CDC.