Measles In Memphis, Mumps In Massachusetts. What's Going On?

Published April 27, 2016 at 1:52 PM EDT

Six people have been diagnosed with measles in the Memphis area in less than a week. That’s more cases in just a few days than the entire country had seen so far in 2016.

There are also several outbreaks of mumps right now, including at universities in Indiana, Ohio and Massachusetts. At Harvard University alone, at least 40 people have been diagnosed in the last couple of months.

Here & Now’s Robin Young talks to Helen Branswell, who covers infectious diseases and public health for the new national health and medicine publication STAT, about these outbreaks, and why they crop up periodically.

See more health and medicine conversations with STAT

Guest

Helen Branswell, infectious diseases and public health reporter for STAT. She tweets @HelenBranswell.

Stand up for civility

This news story is funded in large part by Connecticut Public’s Members — listeners, viewers, and readers like you who value fact-based journalism and trustworthy information.

We hope their support inspires you to donate so that we can continue telling stories that inform, educate, and inspire you and your neighbors. As a community-supported public media service, Connecticut Public has relied on donor support for more than 50 years.

Your donation today will allow us to continue this work on your behalf. Give today at any amount and join the 50,000 members who are building a better—and more civil—Connecticut to live, work, and play.

Donate