What in the World Why is measles on the rise?
Jan 28, 2026
Nick Triggle, BBC health reporter who explains complex health stories clearly. He outlines what measles is and why it spreads so easily. He covers where outbreaks are happening now and how falling MMR coverage fuels resurgence. He also tackles misinformation, vaccine safety and the stakes for adults and pregnant people.
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Severe Personal Case In Young Adult
- Ellie, aged 23, described measles that affected her lungs and required oxygen in hospital.
- She said measles was far worse than her three-week COVID hospitalisation and "unreal" in severity.
Measles Is A Global Problem
- Africa has seen the largest numbers and most serious measles outbreaks in recent years.
- Other affected places include Afghanistan, Pakistan, Syria, India, Russia, and the UK showing global spread.
Exceptionally High Contagiousness
- Measles has a basic reproduction number of 12–18, making it one of the most contagious viruses.
- That high R means low vaccination areas can see very fast spread and large outbreaks.