What in the World - Why is measles on the rise?

For some of us, measles might sound like a childhood disease from the past that our grandparents worried about. But it can have a severe effect on your health if you catch it as an adult and in some regions, infections are rising. Indonesia, Pakistan and South Africa have all dealt with recent outbreaks. And in the countries like US - that were previously recognised as having eliminated the disease - there’s been a rise in cases as well. So - why is the virus on the rise and what does vaccine hesitancy have to do with it?

BBC Health reporter Nick Triggle explains what the virus is, where it’s most prevalent and why we’re seeing a downturn in vaccination rates in some regions. Canada lost its measles elimination status late last year - Nadine Yousif, a BBC reporter in Toronto, explains how anti-vax content on social media may have contributed to this.

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Presenter: Iqra Farooq
Producers: William Lee Adams and Chelsea Coates
Editor: Verity Wilde

Published on Wednesday, 28th January 2026.

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