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.

One of the most debated claims that sunscreen may significantly increase the risk of skin cancer is putting an old study back in focus. We took a closer look at the research and it shows a far more complicated picture than social media noise.

Study On 470,000 Participants

The controversy stems from a 2023 study based on data from more than 470,000 UK Biobank participants.

The research studied how genetic and environmental factors interact to impact the risk of skin cancer. It found that people who used sunscreen frequently had higher observed rates of melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.

Compared to people who rarely or never reported using sunscreen, those who always used it had an observed relative risk of about 3.92 for invasive melanoma, 2.40 for basal cell carcinoma, and 2.26 for squamous cell carcinoma.

Can Sunscreen Use Contribute To Risk Of Skin Cancer?

The the crucial part of the study is that it did not establish that sunscreen directly causes skin cancer.

The observational research was primarily designed to investigate gene-environment interactions, not to test whether sunscreen causes skin cancer.

The authors themselves described the sunscreen association as surprising and discussed several possible explanations. One of them is “sunscreen paradox.”

Also read: Scientists Find Rare Contagious Skin Cancer In Fish From US, Canada: Should Humans Worry?

What Is The 'Sunscreen Paradox'?

People who spend more time outdoors, have accumulated more UV exposure, or already have a higher risk of skin cancer may be more likely to use sunscreen in the first place. Sunscreen use can therefore become a marker of higher sun exposure rather than the cause of the cancer.

Lead author Ivan Litvinov told AAP FactCheck that the viral interpretation had misrepresented the findings. “The post misinterpreted the results of our study,” he said.

Litvinov also explained that sunscreen can create a false sense of security when people use too little, fail to reapply it or treat it as permission to stay in the sun longer. This indirectly contributes to the risk of skin cancer. “When sunscreen is used as a ‘permission to tan’, problems arise,” he said.

Should You Stop Using Sunscreen?

Current evidence does not support the conclusion that one must stop using sunscreen to avoid skin cancer.

A randomized trial based on 1,621 adults in Australia found that regular sunscreen use was linked with fewer melanomas over long-term follow-up. Invasive melanoma was substantially lower among those assigned to daily sunscreen use.

More recently, a 2026 review of photoprotection concluded that daily sunscreen use reduces actinic keratoses and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in high-risk people, although evidence for basal cell carcinoma and melanoma prevention is more heterogeneous.

Also read: How Vitamin D Helps Protect Your Skin And Lower Cancer Risks Naturally

How Can You Protect Your Skin Without Using Sunscreen?

While sunscreen is important, one must follow some other steps to ensure complete protection. Here are some tips you should remember according to American Academy of Dermatology Association.

Find Your Shade

The sun's rays are most powerful between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. During these hours, it's best to seek shade. A good rule of thumb: if your shadow is shorter than you are, the sun is very strong, and you should definitely look for some cover.

Dress For Sun Protection

Whenever you can, wear sun-protective clothing. This means choosing things like a lightweight, long-sleeved shirt, long pants, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses with UV protection.

For even better defense, look for clothing labels that have an Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) number, which tells you how much UV radiation the fabric blocks.

Say No To Tanning Beds

Both the sun and tanning beds give off harmful ultraviolet (UV) light, which can cause skin cancer and wrinkles. It's best to avoid tanning beds completely.

If you want to have a tanned look, consider using a self-tanning product instead, but remember to still use sunscreen along with it for actual sun protection.

Be Extra Careful Near Reflective Surfaces

You need to be especially cautious when you're near water, snow, or sand. These surfaces are highly reflective, meaning they bounce back the sun's damaging rays, which can significantly increase your chance of getting a sunburn.

COVID-19 is surging in some parts of California as wastewater surveillance showing a sharp rise in the amount of virus circulating in the surrounding communities.

The latest data comes as California health officials warn that the state’s COVID-19 pattern appears to be shifting, with summer outbreaks becoming more prominent than winter ones.

According to the California Department of Public Health data cited by the San Francisco Chronicle, COVID-19 outbreak expanded in June, rose through July and continued rising in August. Hospital admissions are also increasing, although they remain relatively low compared to previous outbreaks.

WastewaterSCAN data showed that COVID-19 concentrations across monitored Bay Area sites were 136% higher in July than in June. By early August, nearly 54% of monitored sites were classified as having “high” levels, with San Francisco, San Jose, Sunnyvale, San Rafael, Vallejo and Napa among the communities reporting high levels of cases.

“Monitoring wastewater can act as an early warning system for health officials and the public,” said Amanda Bidwell, WastewaterSCAN’s scientific program manager.

Wastewater Surveillance Reveals COVID-19 Resurgence

Wastewater surveillance looks for traces of SARS-CoV-2 in sewage. Because infected people can shed the virus even when they have mild or no symptoms, wastewater can provide an early picture of infections spreading through a community.

The CDC says wastewater trends can detect viruses earlier than clinical testing and can also capture infections that never result in a doctor's visit. An increase in wastewater viral activity may therefore signal a higher risk of infection in the community.

California is currently one of only four U.S. states where COVID-19 wastewater activity is classified as moderate or high by the CDC, according to the Los Angeles Times. The CDC also says COVID-19 is growing or likely growing in 43 states.

Also read: BMJ Public Health Retracts Controversial COVID Vaccine Study Cited In US Senate Hearing

Is A Dangerous New COVID Variant Causing The Surge?

Wastewater monitoring suggests several variants are circulating rather than one strain. In the Bay Area, XFG, also known as “Stratus,” remains prominent, while NB.1.8.1, or “Nimbus,” is also circulating.

Stanford infectious disease expert Dr. Abraar Karan said there is currently no evidence suggesting a dangerous or different virus or a variant that is expected to cause a major increase in hospitalizations or causalties.

Experts say the current wave should not be confused with the severe COVID-19 surges of the pandemic's early years. According to recent data and reports, hospitalizations remain comparatively low compared to previous outbreaks.

However, California health officials are urging people who have not received the 2025-26 COVID-19 vaccine to consider getting it now rather than waiting for the updated vaccine expected later this year.

“Summer is really the bigger peak,” California Public Health Officer Dr. Erica Pan said. “Go ahead and get it now, given the surge.”

The timing could become important as schools reopen and people spend more time in crowded indoor settings. In 2025, California's summer COVID-19 wave peaked later in the season, meaning the current increase may not be over yet.

V, a member of K-pop sensation BTS, has revealed that he has been dealing with hearing loss in one ear for about two and a half years.

V, whose real name is Kim Tae-hyung, opened up about the condition for the first time during a livestream amid the band's highly anticipated world tour.

"If the hearing in my left ear is at 100, it's only about 30 in my right," V said.

The 30-year-old singer said his hearing became worse while he was serving in the military. However, he initially ignored the problem, believing it was "a matter of mental strength," BBC reported.

He said he is now taking medication and visiting the hospital regularly.

V Reveals Risk Of Stress Fracture

V also admitted to pushing through pain during BTS' current tour, revealing that he is dangerously close to developing a stress fracture in his leg.

“My shin is right at the point just before a stress fracture. Even today on stage, my heart was set on running around, but it hurt too much at points and I couldn’t," he was quoted as saying by Channel News Asia.

Doctors have warned him about inflammation and early bone damage.

“It hasn’t reached a stress fracture yet, but there’s a lot of inflammation in my shin, and I think there’s some microdamage to the bone. I’ll be careful with myself so I can finish this tour properly,” he added.

BTS is currently halfway through its massive Arirang world tour, which will stop in Singapore in December and conclude in the Philippines in March 2027.

What Is Hearing Loss?

Hearing loss can happen when any part of the ear is not working in the usual way. This includes:

• The outer ear
• The middle ear
• The inner ear
• The hearing or acoustic nerve
• The auditory system in the brain

Hearing loss is a growing health concern worldwide. According to the WHO, more than 1.5 billion people—nearly 20% of the world's population—live with some degree of hearing loss. Of these, approximately 430 million people have disabling hearing loss requiring rehabilitation.

Hearing loss can have a significant impact on a person's life, affecting education and job prospects.

What Causes Hearing Loss?

Hearing loss can occur at any time during life. Causes can range from genetic factors to conditions such as Down syndrome or Usher syndrome.

Other factors include:

• Maternal infections during pregnancy
• Complications after birth
• Spending five days or more in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)
• Severe jaundice requiring a blood transfusion

How To Prevent Hearing Loss

To help prevent hearing loss in adults:

• Limit exposure to loud noises above 85 decibels.
• Wear ear protection, such as foam plugs or earmuffs, around heavy machinery or at concerts.
• Keep personal headphone use at safe volumes.
• Manage chronic health conditions such as high blood pressure.
• Avoid putting objects such as cotton swabs inside the ears.