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In recent weeks, measles cases have popped up across the U.S in Ohio, Florida, Washington, Michigan, Indiana, Minnesota, and beyond. This highly contagious virus often leads to hospitalization and occasionally to serious complications and death, especially in children under five. While the vaccine is safe and effective, declining vaccination rates have left pockets of people vulnerable. Measles might sound like ancient history compared to COVID-19, mpox, Zika, and other outbreaks that have made headlines in recent years – but how long has measles really been around? Evolutionary biology has the answer.