The current measles outbreak has gripped US states like Texas and New Mexico leaving people worried whether it would become a new pandemic. According to the Texas Department of State Health Services as of February 21, 90 cases were diagnosed in the last month in the South Plains area, with at least 77 of them were reported in children and teens under 17.

Measles is highly contagious and can be deadly. The outbreak, which started spreading in late January, has resulted in multiple hospitalizations, with at least nine confirmed cases and three probable cases as of early February. Health officials caution that at least one in five infected individuals will have to be hospitalized, highlighting the severity of the situation.

Misinformation surrounding vaccines and with the new Trump administration anti-vaccine campaigs, has causing parents to hesitate or refuse vaccination.

Furthermore, the country down under Australia is also witnessing a surge in measles cases as health officials in Sydney have issued an urgent alert, urging residents to watch for measles symptoms after an infected individual visited several places in Sydney over the last seven days.

Authorities report that the traveller had returned from South East Asia where there are ongoing outbreaks of measles.

What Are The Symptoms Measles?

Key symptoms of measles include fever, a runny nose, sore eyes, and a cough. Typically, a red, blotchy rash appears three to four days later, spreading from the head down to the body. Symptoms can manifest between 7 and 18 days after exposure.

Anyone who experiences these symptoms after potential exposure should immediately contact their doctor or emergency department. It is crucial to call ahead before visiting to avoid potentially exposing others in the waiting room. Dr. Selvey also highlighted that ongoing measles outbreaks are occurring in various parts of the world, making awareness and prompt action essential.

Why It Is Important To Get Vaccinated?

According to CDC everyone should get the MMR vaccine. It protects you from measles, mumps, and rubella. Getting vaccinated helps stop these diseases from spreading. There are two safe MMR vaccines available. They work the same way, so it doesn't matter which one you get. Kids can also get a shot that protects against chickenpox too, but this is only for children.

Who Should Get Vaccinated?

Kids Need Two Shots

All children should get two MMR shots. The first shot should be given when they are between 12 and 15 months old. The second shot should be given when they are between 4 and 6 years old. If needed, the second shot can be given earlier, but it must be at least 28 days after the first shot.

College Students Need to Be Protected

Students going to college or other schools after high school, need two shots if they are not already immune. The shots must be at least 28 days apart.

Adults Need at Least One Shot

Most adults need at least one MMR shot. Some adults need two shots, especially those who work in healthcare, travel a lot, or go to college. These people should get two shots, with 28 days between them.

Travelers Need to Be Extra Careful

Anyone traveling to other countries should make sure they are protected. Babies 6 to 11 months old should get one shot before traveling. Kids 12 months and older, teens, and adults need two shots, with 28 days between them.

Healthcare Workers Must Be Immune

People who work in healthcare should have proof that they are immune to measles, mumps, and rubella. If they are not immune, they need two MMR shots, spaced 28 days apart.

Women Thinking About Having Babies

Women who might get pregnant should talk to their doctor about the MMR vaccine. It's safe to get the shot while breastfeeding.

Melanie Sykes has shared an encouraging health update, revealing that she is experiencing what she describes as “Post-Traumatic Growth.” On Friday, the former television presenter, 55, spoke openly on Instagram about feeling “vibrating high” after what she called moving through deep trauma. Her comments come amid an ongoing struggle with an autoimmune condition that has caused widespread inflammation and left her almost two-thirds bald.

Melanie Sykes Reveals She’s Living With ‘Post-Traumatic Growth’

In her message, Sykes reflected on how difficult periods do not last forever and introduced the idea of post-traumatic growth to her followers. She explained that it is possible to live with PTSD while also experiencing growth at the same time. “I’m in both camps,” she said, adding that people can hold pain and progress together, as long as they take care of themselves, allow space for grief, process what has happened, and then move forward in ways that bring happiness and meaning.

What Is ‘Post-Traumatic Growth’

Post-Traumatic Growth, often referred to as PTG, describes the positive psychological change that can emerge after someone has faced severe stress or trauma. Rather than simply managing or surviving the experience, people may find new depth in how they see life, feel stronger connections with others, discover fresh possibilities, or undergo spiritual or existential shifts. According to the National Institute of Health, PTG is not about bouncing back to how life was before. Instead, it reflects a deeper transformation that can take a person beyond their pre-trauma sense of self.

How Is Post Traumatic Growth Different From PTSD?

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, is marked by ongoing distress following trauma, including intrusive thoughts, avoidance, heightened alertness, and emotional suffering. PTG, on the other hand, refers to the positive psychological changes that can arise after working through trauma, such as greater appreciation for life, stronger relationships, personal strength, and shifts in belief or purpose. As noted by the National Institute of Health, the key difference lies in the outcome. PTSD is considered a mental health disorder, while PTG is a process of meaning-making and growth. Importantly, the two can exist together, with some individuals experiencing distress and growth at the same time.

At its core, PTSD reflects the painful impact of trauma, while post-traumatic growth represents the possibility of positive change that can develop through the long and often difficult path of healing, sometimes alongside or after living with PTSD.

What Condition Is Melanie Sykes Going Through?

Melanie lives with an autoimmune condition, a disorder in which the body’s immune system, meant to protect against infections, wrongly targets its own healthy cells, tissues, and organs. This immune response leads to inflammation and ongoing damage. Common autoimmune diseases include lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and type 1 diabetes. Although there is no cure, treatment usually focuses on controlling symptoms such as fatigue, pain, and swelling and helping people manage the condition in daily life.

Just hours after GRAP-3 restrictions were implemented, authorities tightened pollution controls in Delhi and surrounding areas on Saturday evening by moving to GRAP-4.

Earlier in the afternoon, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM)—the central agency responsible for monitoring and managing pollution in Delhi and neighbouring states—had imposed GRAP-3 curbs as the Air Quality Index (AQI) surpassed 400, entering the ‘Severe’ category.

By evening, the CAQM reported that the AQI, which was 431 at 4 pm, continued to rise and reached 441 by 6 pm. Under the GRAP system, air quality is divided into four levels: Poor (AQI 201–300), Very Poor (AQI 301–400), Severe (AQI 401–450), and Severe Plus (AQI above 450).

The CAQM stated, “Considering the current air quality trend and to prevent further deterioration in the region, the Sub-Committee on GRAP has decided to implement all measures under Stage IV of the existing GRAP – ‘Severe+’ Air Quality (Delhi AQI > 450) – with immediate effect across the entire NCR. These measures are in addition to the actions already in place under Stages I, II, and III.”

The commission added that the primary reason for the worsening AQI was the weak Western Disturbance moving toward north-west India, rather than local emissions.

GRAP 4 In Delhi: Schools Shift to Hybrid Classes

While schools in Delhi remain open, classes for several grades have moved to a hybrid format, combining both in-person and online learning. The Delhi Directorate of Education (DDE) issued a circular directing all government, aided, and private schools under DOE, NDMC, MCD, and Delhi Cantonment Board to adopt hybrid classes for students up to Class IX and XI wherever online teaching is feasible.

The circular, dated December 13, states: “All Heads of Schools…are directed to conduct classes in schools for children up to Class IX and XI in a ‘Hybrid Mode’ i.e., both physical and online mode (wherever online mode is feasible) with immediate effect until further orders.”

GRAP 4 In Delhi: Are Delhi Schools Open Today?

Yes, all schools under the Delhi Directorate of Education remain open. Students up to Class IX and Class XI can attend classes either physically or online, depending on what they or their parents choose. The hybrid arrangement will continue until further notice. The directive also applies to schools managed by NDMC, MCD, and Delhi Cantonment Board. School authorities have been asked to promptly inform parents and guardians about the arrangements.

GRAP 4 Activated as Pollution Worsens

The move comes after the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) declared Stage 4 of GRAP with immediate effect, as Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) surged into the ‘severe’ category. At 6 am on Sunday, the AQI in the city stood at 462, according to the Central Pollution Control Board’s Sameer app.

GRAP 4 In Delhi: Restrictions Under Stage 4

Stage 4 maintains all measures from Stage 3 and introduces stricter curbs to limit pollution. Among the new restrictions is a total ban on truck traffic entering Delhi, except for vehicles carrying essential goods or providing critical services. Trucks powered by LNG, CNG, electricity, and BS-VI diesel are exempt from the ban.

At-risk groups are being encouraged to get their flu jabs as concern grows over rising flu cases across the UK. The NHS has warned of a possible “tidal wave” of infections after flu activity began earlier than usual this season, with some schools already forced to shut because of outbreaks.

A post shared this week by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) on X urged people to take vaccination seriously. It said: “Help protect yourself with a flu vaccine, it’s just like protective armour for those with long-term health conditions like #kidney disease. Stay strong. Get vaccinated.”

What Is The H3N2 Flu Strain?

Health officials have described the newly emerging H3N2 flu strain as particularly “unpleasant” and warned that the NHS may be heading toward a heavy surge in cases in the run-up to Christmas.

Flu-related hospital admissions have already risen by 56 per cent compared with the same period last year, and specialists say the worst of the season may still lie ahead. In response, health leaders have advised people to wear a face covering in public if they are feeling unwell and have urged everyone who qualifies for a flu jab to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

How Can Flu Vaccine Protect From the Flu?

Flu vaccines are meant to protect against influenza, which can be dangerous and even fatal for some groups. Every autumn or early winter, the NHS rolls out the flu jab programme for people who are more likely to develop serious complications from the virus.

Eligibility For Flu Vaccine In UK

According to official UKHSA guidance, six main groups became eligible for the flu vaccine from September 1 this year, while another six groups were added from October 1.

From September 1, this included:

• Pregnant women
• All children aged two or three years old on August 31, 2025
• Children with certain long-term health conditions (aged six months to under 18 years)
• Primary school-aged children (from reception to Year 6)
• Secondary school-aged children (from Year 7 to Year 11)
• All children in clinical risk groups aged from six months to under 18 years

And from October 1, 2025, this included:

• Everyone aged 65 years old and over
• Anyone aged 18 to 65 with long-term health conditions

Health and social care workers may also be offered the flu jab through their workplace. The NHS says it is generally safe to have the flu vaccine at the same time as other jabs, including COVID-19 and shingles vaccines.

The RSV vaccine is usually given separately, but NHS guidance notes that a doctor may decide to give both vaccines together in certain situations.

Super Flu Cases In UK

Amid the recent rise in flu cases, a Downing Street spokesperson also reiterated guidance this week, saying: “There is long-standing guidance in place for people on a range of measures they can consider taking to help limit the spread of winter bugs if they have flu-like symptoms.

“This is neither new nor an instruction but simply something people can consider when trying to limit the spread of winter respiratory illnesses.”

Citing a previous Mirror report, they added: “It’s been a long-standing position. The best defence against flu is the vaccine, which is why we’re ramping up our vaccination efforts this winter with almost 17 million flu jabs already delivered, which is 350,000 more than this time last year.”

The NHS App can be used to check whether you are eligible for a flu jab. Vaccinations are available through GP surgeries, selected pharmacies, maternity clinics, and care homes.