Wendy Zukerman (Host)

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I'm Wendy Zuckerman. Back to you next time.

I'm Wendy Zuckerman. Back to you next time.

Hi, I'm Wendy Zuckerman, and you're listening to Science Versus. Today on the show, the insanely weird virus that is measles. For more than 20 years, the US had stopped the ongoing spread of measles. Yeah, I mean, we declared it eliminated. This is Grace Wade, health reporter at New Scientist magazine.

Hi, I'm Wendy Zuckerman, and you're listening to Science Versus. Today on the show, the insanely weird virus that is measles. For more than 20 years, the US had stopped the ongoing spread of measles. Yeah, I mean, we declared it eliminated. This is Grace Wade, health reporter at New Scientist magazine.

On the 20th of January, Texas reported a case of measles, and then another one, and another one.

On the 20th of January, Texas reported a case of measles, and then another one, and another one.

And now there are infections all over the country. There's a whole rash of cases in more than 20 states. Some of those are just isolated cases. But in other states, the disease is spreading.

And now there are infections all over the country. There's a whole rash of cases in more than 20 states. Some of those are just isolated cases. But in other states, the disease is spreading.

In some cases, people who are in Texas have then spread the virus to other states, but not always. Grace said that the outbreak in Michigan started when someone got infected on a trip to Ontario, Canada, where they're currently experiencing a measles outbreak of their own. In the US, at least 800 people have had measles. That's according to the CDC.

In some cases, people who are in Texas have then spread the virus to other states, but not always. Grace said that the outbreak in Michigan started when someone got infected on a trip to Ontario, Canada, where they're currently experiencing a measles outbreak of their own. In the US, at least 800 people have had measles. That's according to the CDC.

The vast majority of those, 96%, are unvaccinated, or we don't know their vaccination status. 800 cases. How many hospitalized? How many dead?

The vast majority of those, 96%, are unvaccinated, or we don't know their vaccination status. 800 cases. How many hospitalized? How many dead?

And now, online, there's all these people talking about measles and vaccines.

And now, online, there's all these people talking about measles and vaccines.

Some say this is bad because measles is so contagious, while others say that measles isn't such a big deal. Why are we freaking out here? There's viral videos where people point out, didn't everyone just get measles back in the day?

Some say this is bad because measles is so contagious, while others say that measles isn't such a big deal. Why are we freaking out here? There's viral videos where people point out, didn't everyone just get measles back in the day?

And, you know, the Brady Bunch kids were fine.

And, you know, the Brady Bunch kids were fine.