Why millions of people around the world will contract measles in 2026

The World Health Organization estimates that nearly 11 million people will contract measles in twenty twenty-six, with the heaviest impact in Africa and Asia. Per The Conversation (US), the surge is driven by falling vaccination rates, including millions of children in low-income countries who missed routine shots during the pandemic. In Bangladesh, political instability and vaccine shortages have already led to more than 900 deaths this year. Meanwhile, outbreaks in the Americas have been linked to vaccine hesitancy within certain faith communities, contributing to the U.S. seeing more cases in twenty twenty-six than in any year since nineteen ninety-one.

Listen to this story

Hear this and more stories in a personalized audio briefing.

Open The Chonkerton