NOTE: If you are short on time, watch the video and complete this See, Think, Wonder activity: What did you notice? What did the story make you think? What would you want to learn more about?

SUMMARY

The CDC has confirmed more than 4,000 cases of measles in 2026 as the country grapples with the largest outbreak of the highly infectious virus in 35 years. Nearly a fifth of cases comprise children under the age of five, and 95% are among unvaccinated people. Amna Nawaz spoke with Dr. Evan Shirey, a pediatric infectious disease doctor based in Pennsylvania.

View the transcript of the story.

News alternative: Check out recent segments from the News Hour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.

WARM-UP QUESTIONS

1. When were the measles officially eliminated from the United States?
2. What demographics (groups of people) seem to be contracting measles at higher rates than others?
3. Who is Dr. Evan Shirey, and what is his background?
4. How can measles cause serious or long-term symptoms?
5. Where (what state) has measles become more common in other states?

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS

• Do you think the federal or state governments can do more to prevent the spread of measles? If so, what do you think they should do?
• Dr. Shirey says that measles was eliminated in the U.S., but has returned because of lower vaccination rates. Why do you think vaccination rates are decreasing?

Media literacy: This segment focuses on a doctor who advocates for vaccines, in some ways contradicting the position of the Trump administration and its public health officials. How do you think the Trump administration might respond to this doctor? Do you think the producers should have also interviewed an official from the Trump administration? Why or why not?

WHAT STUDENTS CAN DO

Examine the two charts below with a family member, peer or neighbor. What do you notice? If you wanted to research measles cases in your state, start with your state's department of health website. Take a look at Tennessee's site. What information is included on the page? How could you find out why certain areas have been more affected than others? What does the site say about vaccinations?

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