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.

A 46-year-old mother of six in Oregon, US, lost both legs and suffered multiple life-altering injuries after developing a severe infection following a hysterectomy.

According to a lawsuit alleging medical negligence, Trisha Stevens underwent the hysterectomy in October 2024. The lawsuit alleges that her infection was not diagnosed on time and treated promptly, which eventually led to peritonitis, septic shock and multiple organ failure.

Stevens and her husband are seeking $68.5 million in damages from several doctors and Legacy Health. The allegations have not been established in court yet.

Stevens lost both legs above the knees, her right hand and parts of her left hand. She also lost parts of her lips and tongue and suffered spinal cord damage that left her paralysed from the waist down.

“I came home having lost both of my legs and my right hand. My left hand was left unusable after the necrosis. I lost parts of my lips and tongue, and I live with paralysis in a body that no longer responds the way it once did,” Stevens told local news outlet KGW.

Her husband, Brian, now cares for her as she navigates the physical, mental and emotional consequences of the sepsis.

What Is Sepsis?

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Sepsis is a life-threatening medical emergency that occurs when the body's response to an infection gets dysregulated, damaging its own tissues and organs. It can develop from infections affecting the lungs, urinary tract, skin or gastrointestinal system, as well as infections after a surgery.

Without timely treatment, sepsis can progress to organ failure and death. In severe cases, it can cause septic shock, in which blood pressure falls dangerously low and organs receive insufficient blood flow.

Stevens' case involved peritonitis, an inflammation of the tissue lining the abdominal cavity, followed by septic shock, according to the lawsuit.

Severe infection and septic shock can disrupt blood circulation and reduce oxygen delivery to tissues. When blood flow becomes critically inadequate, tissue can die, which is known as necrosis. In some cases, surgeons may need to amputate affected limbs to remove dead or severely damaged tissue and prevent further complications.

However, limb loss is not an inevitable outcome of sepsis. It represents a severe complication that can occur in some critically ill patients.

Warning Signs

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identifies several possible signs of sepsis:

• Fever, shivering or feeling unusually cold
• Confusion or disorientation
• Rapid heart rate or a weak pulse
• Shortness of breath
• Clammy or sweaty skin
• Extreme pain or discomfort

After surgery, worsening abdominal pain, fever, unusual bleeding, wound discharge or a sudden deterioration in general health warrants urgent medical assessment. Symptoms should not be dismissed simply because a patient has recently undergone a procedure.

Sepsis requires immediate evaluation and treatment. Management may include antibiotics, intravenous fluids, support for organ function and, where necessary, surgery to control the source of infection.

Actor and disability rights advocate RJ Mitte, best known for his performance in Breaking Bad, has died aged 34. His representative confirmed the news of his passing.

"It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of beloved actor, philanthropist, and passionate disability rights advocate RJ Mitte," his representative told the BBC.

He was found at his home in Brownsville, Texas at 12:50 pm. The cause of his death is yet to be determined, although authorities are suspecting it to be suicide. They are investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.

According to the Brownsville Police Department, "The cause and manner of death are still pending, as there is currently an ongoing investigation."

'Breaking Bad' Co-Star Bryan Cranston Says 'Seek Help'

Mitte, who lived with cerebral palsy, parlayed his own experience into his character, Walter 'Flynn' White Jr in the Emmy-winning drama series, starring Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, and Anna Gunn.

Cranston took to Instagram to share a heartfelt note about Mitte, sharing their experiences of working together. He wrote, "Born with Cerebral Palsy, he never - ever - allowed that challenge to be an excuse for anything. He met the demanding shooting schedule head on with great determination."

He added, "He parlayed his experience on the show to be a vocal advocate for performers with disabilities, and was the head of a philanthropic organization with a focus on helping the disabled community." Cranston's post contributed to the speculation that Mitte took his own life.

He also added a note for those who are struggling: "I can’t stop there without imploring anyone who is contemplating suicide to please call for the support you need at 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (https://988lifeline.org/). There is hope."

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RJ Mitte's Life With Cerebral Palsy

Mitte was diagnosed with a relatively mild form of cerebral palsy as a young child. Unlike his character in Breaking Bad, who uses crutches and has noticeably slurred speech, Mitte did not require crutches to function in his real life.

This illustrates a key point about cerebral palsy. The disease affects people differently, and its visible signs and severity can vary considerably as one ages.

According to the CDC, cerebral palsy is a group of lifelong neurological conditions caused by abnormal development or damage to the developing brain. It affects movement, muscle control, balance, and posture. It is marked by impaired motor coordination and affects one in 323 children in the United States.

Mitte was the ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children's. Mitte's representative Sean Reilly told BBC, "Mitte brought authenticity to the role and built a platform on disability awareness and inclusion."

Mitte was known for his extensive efforts to expand representation for people with disabilities. He also created The Mitte Foundation as well, to support philanthropic efforts and community initiatives, using his platform "to challenge stereotypes and promote greater representation for people with disabilities", Reilly said.

In addition to battling physical challenges related to the disease, Mitte also shed awareness about the bullying children with similar disabilities often face.

In an interview with Brain Health, Mitte said, "I was verbally harassed, knocked down, and even had my hand broken," Mitte says. "Having CP made me a target for bullies, and I learned that kids with disabilities are twice as likely to be bullied as other kids."

Bristol Myers Squibb’s experimental drug admilparant has shown promise in a late-stage clinical trial involving people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a progressive lung disease that causes irreversible scarring and gradually worsens breathlessness.

The pharmaceutical company announced on October 12 that the lower dose of the drug significantly slowed the decline in lung function compared to a placebo over 52 weeks. However, the higher dose did not meet the trial’s primary goal, raising questions about the treatment’s effects subject to dosage.

The Phase 3 ALOFT-IPF trial enrolled 1,255 patients and evaluated two doses of admilparant, 60 mg and 120 mg, taken twice daily. The study compared both doses with a placebo. Its primary goal was measuring changes in forced vital capacity (FVC) from the start of treatment to Week 52.

FVC measures the amount of air a person can forcefully exhale after taking a deep breath. A decline in this measure can indicate worsening lung function.

According to Bristol Myers Squibb, the 60 mg dose demonstrated a statistically significant benefit over placebo. The 120 mg dose also slowed the decline in lung function, but the difference did not reach statistical significance.

The company said the drug was generally well tolerated at both doses. Also, the treatment discontinuation due to adverse events remained low compared to placebo. Detailed trial results are yet to be presented.

What Is Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis?

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IPF is a chronic lung disease in which lung tissue becomes progressively scarred and stiff. As the scarring advances, the lungs become less efficient at transferring oxygen into the bloodstream, making everyday activities increasingly difficult.

The disease is described as idiopathic because its precise cause is unknown. Symptoms commonly include persistent breathlessness, a dry cough and fatigue. The condition can progress unpredictably, and the damage caused by fibrosis is generally irreversible.

Existing antifibrotic treatments can slow the loss of lung function, but they do not eliminate established scarring or cure the disease. This leaves a need for additional treatments that can delay progression.

About Admilparant

Admilparant, also known as BMS-986278, is an oral drug designed to block the lysophosphatidic acid receptor 1 (LPA1).

The LPA1 signalling pathway is involved in processes linked to pulmonary fibrosis, including inflammation, tissue injury and the activation of cells that produce scar tissue. By blocking this receptor, admilparant is intended to interfere with mechanisms that contribute to the progression of lung scarring.

The drug is being investigated as a first-in-class treatment that uses this approach in people with IPF and progressive pulmonary fibrosis.

“IPF remains one of the most complex and challenging lung diseases to treat, with unpredictable progression, irreversible scarring and a profound impact on patients’ daily lives,” said Fernando Martinez, chair of the ALOFT programme’s clinical steering committee and a professor of medicine at UMass Chan Medical School.

“These admilparant results represent an important advancement as there remains a need for therapies that are both effective and tolerable for patients living with IPF,” he added.

Bristol Myers Squibb said it would complete a comprehensive evaluation of the trial data and deal with regulatory authorities for submissions. The detailed findings are expected to be presented at a future meeting.