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.

Millionaire longevity entrepreneur Bryan Johnson has launched a new $2.6 million women's health research project focused on his partner, Kate Tolo's menstrual blood.

Known for his unconventional longevity experiments, Johnson is now aiming to better understand women's reproductive health by preserving and studying Kate's menstrual blood.

“Kate’s period blood is in my -80 °C freezer. Around 10 mL,” he shared in a post on social media platform X.

He added that “menstrual blood is valuable and underutilized,” as it contains “endometrial cells, immune cells and stem cells.”

Why Is Bryan Johnson Studying Menstrual Blood?

Calling both himself and Kate "science experiments," Johnson said the 100-day project aims to:

• Look for diseased tissue
• Measure microplastics
• Measure endocrine disruptors
• Measure PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances)

“It’s a non-invasive look into the uterus. This is great because you get the data without surgical biopsy, it can be repeated every single cycle, and it measures the uterine environment directly instead of inferring it from a standard blood draw,” Bryan said.

Also read: Bryan Johnson Plans To Create 'Bryan In A Dish' Living Lab To Test Experimental Autoimmune Treatments

Inside the $2.6 Million 100-Day Project

The project requires Kate to follow an intensive 24/7 routine designed to create what the couple says will be the most detailed dataset ever collected on the female menstrual cycle.

Her minute-by-minute schedule includes more than 100 daily tasks, 50 monitoring devices, and an experimental "techno tampon," generating an estimated 14 million data points under the supervision of a 12-person medical team.

"I am going to be the world's most measured women in this process," Kate shared in in a video posted on Instagram.

The project, backed by the couple's company Immortals, costs an estimated $2.6 million a year.

Kate will collect approximately 14 million data points on her menstrual cycle.

Read More: Bryan Johnson Blames Sugary Cereals, Soda and Stress for His Autoimmune Disease; Shares Treatment Plan

Kate Tolo's Health Conditions

Kate has previously revealed that she has endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and adenomyosis—painful gynecological conditions that she hopes this ambitious research project will help better understand and eventually treat.

“I’m measuring 1,900 biomarkers over the next 100 days to better understand female biology,” she said.

“This will be the most quantified menstrual cycle ever. And this is just to collect baseline measurements. Once we’re done with the 100 days, we’ll start trying interventions. We’ll post all results, including the good, bad and ugly, in addition to sharing all the practical insights,” Bryan added on X.

Earlier, Bryan claimed his team diagnosed Kate's endometriosis “in 42 days… which is 57x faster than average.” The condition affects approximately 10% of women of reproductive age globally and takes an average of 10 years to diagnose.

According to Bryan, his team diagnosed her “without surgery. Via ultrasound, blood test, and MRI.”

Bryan Johnson's Goal

Bryan, who has said he is living with the autoimmune condition autoimmune atrophic gastritis (AIG) and is undergoing treatment, believes advances in AI and biotechnology could help find treatments for both his condition and Kate's endometriosis.

“My sincere goal is to try and heal the sick. With AI and biotech, we no longer have to concede to disease. We don’t need to wait for big, billion-dollar companies to do it for us. I’ll cure my AIG, and we will cure Kate’s endo, and then make the same available to others.”

Amid as many as 45 states in the US battling Cyclospora parasite infections, the UK has now reported a sharp rise in watery diarrhea-causing infections among travelers returning from Mexico.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) clarified that cyclospora, caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis, does not naturally occur in the UK and cannot spread from person to person.

The agency has advised travelers to take precautions while abroad, including maintaining good food and water hygiene to reduce their risk of infection.

According to the latest data, 67 cases were reported between April 30 and July 15, among returning travelers in

• England (30),
• Scotland (27),
• Wales (10).

The agency noted that travel information was available for 52 of the 67 cases. Of these, 48 people had traveled to Mexico, with one also reporting travel to the US. One case involved travel only to the US, while another had traveled to Kenya.

Among those who visited Mexico, cases reported staying at various hotels in the Riviera Maya and Cancún regions and consuming a range of foods and drinks as part of all-inclusive holiday packages. Investigations into the source of the infections are ongoing, the UKHSA said.

"We have recently detected a rise in Cyclospora infections among travelers returning from Mexico. These infections are caused by a parasite and can affect the stomach and intestines," said Dr. Philip Veal, Consultant in Travel Health at UKHSA.

"If you develop symptoms after returning from travel, such as watery diarrhoea, loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps or pain, bloating, increased wind, nausea, fatigue or other flu-like symptoms, please seek medical attention and inform your healthcare professional of your travel history," he added.

Cyclospora Outbreak In US: The Mexico Connection

Also read: Michigan Cyclosporiasis Outbreak Nears 10,000 Cases: Is Your Lettuce Safe?

The US is experiencing its largest Cyclospora outbreak, with infections reported across 45 states. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has linked the outbreak to iceberg lettuce grown by Taylor Farms in central Mexico, prompting the company to initiate a recall on July 17.

As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) weekly update on July 28, there have been 6,707 laboratory-confirmed cases of the illness, recorded in 45 states, since May 1. In addition, more than 11,500 additional cases, primarily in Michigan and Ohio, have not yet been confirmed by laboratories, the CDC said.

There have been 423 hospitalizations and no deaths, per the agency.

Foods Travelers Should Avoid

Dr. Philip Veal advised travelers to Mexico to avoid foods that may be contaminated with Cyclospora, particularly:

• Fresh, uncooked berries
• Fresh herbs
• Unpeeled fruits
• Raw salad items
• Ice in drinks
• Smoothies and juices that may contain raw fruits or vegetables

Read More: UK, France Brace for Another Heatwave: How Hot Weather Can Affect Medicines

Further, to reduce the risk of infection, the UKHSA also recommended:

• Washing hands regularly with soap and clean water. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer only when handwashing facilities are unavailable.
• Drinking bottled or boiled water where tap water is unsafe, including for brushing teeth.
• Choosing fruit that can be peeled, such as bananas and oranges.
• Opting for pasteurized dairy products.
• Eating freshly cooked food served hot.
• Following good food and water hygiene practices, even when staying at high-end all-inclusive resorts.

What Is Cyclospora?

Cyclospora is a parasite that infects the stomach and intestines and is typically acquired by consuming contaminated food or water.

Symptoms include:

• Frequent watery diarrhoea
• Abdominal cramps
• Bloating
• Nausea
• Excessive gas (flatulence)
• Low-grade fever
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss

Most cases are mild and resolve within a few days without treatment. However, the illness can be more severe or prolonged in people with weakened immune systems, who may require antibiotic treatment.

Vibrio vulnificus, a rare "flesh-eating" bacterium, has claimed its first life of 2026 in the US state of Florida, according to state health officials.

Florida health data show that, as of July 30, the state has reported 12 confirmed cases this year, including one death in an elderly person in Palm Beach County. In 2025, Florida recorded 33 Vibrio vulnificus infections and five deaths linked to the bacterium.

What Is Vibrio Vulnificus?

Vibrio vulnificus is a naturally occurring bacterium found in warm saltwater or brackish water, which is a mix of salt and freshwater. It thrives particularly well during the hotter months, which is why infections spike from May through October.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the bacterium is halophilic, meaning it needs salt to survive.

While rare, the infection can cause necrotizing fasciitis. It is a condition where flesh-eating bacteria could destroy the tissue under the skin and can lead to death in just a few days if left untreated.

How People Get Infected?

The bacterium earned its "flesh-eating" moniker from its ability to cause an infection called vibriosis that damages or "eats away" at skin and tissue.

According to Dr. Norman Beatty, an infectious disease specialist and associate professor at the University of Florida, as reported by WUSF, there are two main ways people typically contract Vibrio vulnificus.

“We can consume it through contaminated shellfish, specifically oysters,” Beatty said. If ingested, the bacteria can cause symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps.

But the more dangerous and more common route, he explains, is through open wounds. “If someone with a cut or scrape enters brackish or saltwater contaminated with Vibrio vulnificus, the bacteria can enter the body through the skin and cause serious infection,” he warned.

Also read: Rare Tick-Borne Bourbon Virus Case Detected In New York For The First Time

Symptoms To Watch For

Symptoms often appear quickly; sometimes within hours of exposure. Early signs include redness, pain, and swelling around the wound. As the infection progresses, it can cause skin ulcers, blisters, and even tissue death. Systemic symptoms like fever, chills, and low blood pressure may also follow.

“A delay in treatment can lead to serious complications, including amputations or even death,” Dr. Beatty cautioned.

Who’s Most at Risk?

People with weakened immune systems, liver disease, or chronic health conditions are at greater risk of developing severe infections. But Dr. Beatty emphasized that even healthy individuals aren’t immune.

“I’ve seen otherwise healthy people who got a small cut while fishing or kayaking and ended up battling this infection,” he said.

How to Stay Safe?

Read More: Milestone In Kala-Azar Treatment: WHO Updates Treatment Guidelines, Recommends Shorter & Safer Regimens

With summer in full swing and more people spending time in and around water, doctors urge caution. If you have an open wound, avoid wading or swimming in warm seawater or brackish water. If exposure happens accidentally, clean the wound immediately with soap and bottled water. Covering healing wounds with waterproof bandages can also reduce the risk of infection.

If symptoms develop after being in such water or consuming raw seafood, particularly oysters, seek medical attention immediately and inform the doctor of your recent exposure.

A Persistent Health Threat

An average of 100 to 200 cases of vibriosis caused by Vibrio vulnificus are reported in the United States each year, with most of them in Gulf Coast states, according to CDC data. “This is not a bacteria to take lightly. With increased awareness and a bit of caution, we can lower the risk and save lives,” Dr. Beatty said.