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.

Singapore is seeing a significant rise in COVID-19 cases, driven by the NB.1.8.1 variant from the Omicron family, nicknamed “Nimbus”.

According to a statement from the Communicable Diseases Agency, the number of COVID cases in Singapore rose to 12,700 in the week of May 10 to May 16, compared with 8,000 in the previous week.

The country is also seeing a rise in the number of daily COVID hospitalizations — from 56 to 73 during the same period, with one case in the intensive care unit daily on average, the CDA said.

NB.1.8.1 Variant Driving COVID Surge: Should People Be Worried?

The NB.1.8.1 variant is currently the dominant strain circulating in Singapore and accounts for more than half of locally sequenced cases.

The CDA noted that people at extremes of age, such as those aged 60 years and above, including those staying in aged care facilities, and medically vulnerable people aged six months and above, are at increased risk of severe COVID infection and should stay updated with vaccinations.

Calling the increase a “periodic wave” of COVID that “is expected throughout the year”, the agency said it is monitoring the spike.

“There is no indication that the variants circulating locally are more transmissible or cause more severe disease compared with previously circulating variants,” it added.

The CDA noted that the surge in cases may be due to waning population immunity, and stated that the currently available vaccine in the country continues to be effective for protection against this variant..

Also read: Child Mortality Rates In US Saw A Massive 6.6% Rise In Just 3 Years, Study Finds

All About The NB.1.8.1 Variant

NB.1.8.1 was first detected in January 2025. It is a “recombinant” variant, meaning it formed when two or more older variants mixed their genetic material.

On May 23, 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified NB.1.8.1 as a “Variant Under Monitoring” (VUM). Scientists have identified changes in the virus that could affect how it spreads or infects people, although evidence is still evolving.

Previous laboratory studies also suggest the variant binds more tightly to human cells, indicating it may infect people more effectively than earlier variants.

Symptoms Linked To NB.1.8.1

People infected with NB.1.8.1 commonly report:

• Sore throat
• Cough
• Fever
• Muscle aches
• Stuffy or runny nose

Some patients also experience:

• Nausea
• Diarrhoea
• Fatigue
• Mild cough
• Nasal congestion

One unusual symptom linked to the variant is a severe “razor blade” sore throat, where people report sharp pain while swallowing food or beverages.

Read More: Europe Sees Record Surge In Gonorrhea, Syphilis Cases In Over A Decade: ECDC

How To Protect Yourself From Severe COVID-19

Vaccination remains the best protection against severe illness, especially for:

• Older adults
• Immunocompromised individuals
• People with underlying medical conditions
• Medically vulnerable individuals aged six months and above

Other Safety Measures

Authorities advised the public to continue basic preventive practices such as:

• Washing hands regularly
• Covering the nose and mouth while coughing or sneezing
• Wearing masks when symptomatic
• Avoiding unnecessary social interactions when unwell.

During the hot days of the year, amid a severe heatwave, it is only natural to feel irritable and anxious. But according to psychologists, some simple household chores will not just give you a sense of calm but will also work like meditation. Experts have found that manual chores like clearing away clutter, sweeping, and mopping prevent the mind from wandering while giving a concrete sense of accomplishment. Psychologists say that the process of cleaning is meditative and calming.

Experts and Zen monks often say that before enlightenment, one must carry water and chop wood. And even after enlightenment, the same process must be repeated. Repetitive activities like these can regulate the nervous system, as these acts are structured, predictable, and give a sense of completion at the end.

How does mopping help?

Zen monks and psychologists recommend mopping the floor, as this activity gives a sense of grounding and control. Additionally, one can immediately see the results of one's work, which is more satisfying than cognitive and emotional tasks that have slow results. "Unsui" monks spend most of their time tidying and cleaning. In A Monk's Guide to a Clean House and Mind, a monk wrote that they sweep dust to remove worldly desires and scrub dirt to free themselves from attachment. This time spent cleaning everything carefully, they say, is extremely fulfilling.

The mental health benefits of cleaning

Psychologists say that people who dread cleaning or find it daunting can engage in the activity to improve focus rather than stress about a to-do list. People who see cleaning as drudgery often feel that the shift is less about forcing oneself to enjoy it than about changing the way one engages with the activity. But the key here is not to rush through the process — experts say that it is imperative to pay attention to the rhythm of the physical movement or to things like water temperature.

When slowed down, it helps one focus on the sensory aspects, and it can start to function like a mindfulness exercise. Cleaning is an opportunity to free the mind and care for oneself and the world. For monks, cleaning is not just about fixing a room; it is a way to expand oneself and nurture one's relationship with the world. Therefore, instead of looking for a perfect result, it is important to embrace incompletion without anxiety.

When one feels overwhelmed, it is not about the task but about what the task represents. This could be self-judgement, time pressure, or anxiety, for instance. Breaking a task down into small and defined actions can reduce barriers. Therefore, instead of getting engrossed in the activity, one must try to break the task down into smaller and defined actions that reduce barriers. Start by choosing one room or surface to clean. Start with baby steps and then ease into the process. This awareness will give you a sense of peace similar to what one finds in temples.

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare today notified the inclusion of the drug “Pregabalin” under Schedule H1 of the Drugs Rules, 1945, to strictly regulate the painkiller amid rising concerns over its misuse and abuse, particularly among youth.

Pregabalin, sold under the brand names Axalid and Lyrica, is a prescription medication used to treat epilepsy, neuropathic (nerve) pain, fibromyalgia, and generalized anxiety disorder. It was earlier regulated under Schedule H.

The ministry noted that the drug has reportedly been misused for its sedative, euphoric, and dissociative effects. Authorities have reported seizures of illegally stocked and unauthorized sale of Pregabalin from parts of the country.

Thus, the move to add it to Schedule H1 aims to:

• Curb easy access
• Enhance prescription monitoring
• Strengthen supply chain accountability
• Safeguard public health

In a gazette notification, the ministry said Pregabalin can now be sold only after a registered medical practitioner’s prescription.

The revised classification mandates that:

• Retailers must maintain a separate register recording details of prescriptions and sales
• Manufacturers shall prominently display the prescribed “Schedule H1 Drug Warning” label on product packaging
• Violations and non-compliance will attract penal action under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and Rules thereunder

All stakeholders, including manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers, and pharmacists, are advised to ensure strict compliance with the provisions of the notification.

Also read: India Cracks Down On Injectable Cosmetic Procedures In Beauty Clinics

Can Pregabalin Cause Heart Failure?

A 2025 study led by researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center linked Pregabalin with a surprisingly large increase in the risk of heart failure among older patients with known heart disease.

The study found that Pregabalin was associated with a 48 per cent higher risk of developing heart failure.

For patients with an existing history of heart disease, the risk jumped to 85 per cent. In absolute terms, the researchers estimated around six additional cases of heart failure per 1,000 people taking Pregabalin each year, compared to those not on the drug.

What Should Patients Do?

Like all medicines, Pregabalin carries side effects. Common ones include headaches, nausea, diarrhoea, blurred vision, and memory issues. Rarely, it can trigger a life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis.

If you take Pregabalin, do not stop it suddenly. Stopping abruptly can cause withdrawal-like symptoms. Instead, book an appointment with your GP or specialist to discuss the risks and benefits in your specific case.

If you have a history of heart disease, a heart condition, or new symptoms such as increased breathlessness, persistent swelling, or faintness, mention them promptly.

Pregabalin helps many people with otherwise disabling nerve pain, but like any tool, it must be used with care and attention to context. For older adults and those with heart disease, a conversation with a clinician could be the difference between control and complication.

Earlier this week, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation tightened rules around cosmetic use, amid growing concerns that injectable aesthetic procedures are gaining popularity as “cosmetic” treatments in beauty clinics and wellness centers across the country.

In a new public notice issued this week, the CDSCO stated that cosmetic products that come in injectable form do not fall under the definition of cosmetics under the law. It said that such products are not permitted for use by consumers, professionals, or aesthetic clinics.