(WXYZ) — Tonight a doctor is speaking out about several suspected mumps and measles cases in our area and all across the country.

Doctors say the spread of measles and mumps throughout the U.S. is the worst they've seen in a decade. Now, with several cases of mumps in Oakland and St. Clair counties, doctors say now is the time to vaccinate to protect yourself and your family from the illness.

"There’s a lot of people I think that are just not familiar with the whole vaccine situation," said Lynn Johnson.

Measles and mumps are spreading nationally at a high rate. Several cases of mumps have already been reported in Oakland County and three suspected cases are in St. Clair County. Doctors say the numbers are higher than in recent years.

"It’s definitely a concern that if we cannot change the trend, we’re just going to have more susceptible people around ," said Dr. Yaseen Rafee, infectious disease specialist at Henry Ford Hospital.

Some people say they believe in the vaccine and it works.

"I think they should do their research first because things like small pox and polio have been largely eradicated due to vaccinations and science cleared, why wouldn’t you do that," said metro Detroiter Steven Rafter.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 228 measles case have been reported in 12 states since the beginning of the year.

In Michigan, over the last 2 or 3 years, we have seen more cases compared to earlier years and this definitely correlates with the trend we see across the nation. There are some people who say they understand why some parents refuse to get vaccinated.

"I mean I do understand not wanting to put the disease in their children but at the same time I don’t want my children sick either," said Kimberly Perpich.

Doctors say the vaccine to treat mumps and measles comes from the same shot. Dr. Rafee says more people need to be educated so the numbers don’t continue to rise.

