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.

Japan has confirmed an outbreak of HPAI (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza) at a poultry farm, media reports said.

The avian flu, confirmed in Hokkaido in the northern prefecture, marks the fourth case and the country's 21st outbreak this season, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, in a statement, said that the affected farm is located in the town of Abira, and keeps about 190,000 chickens.

The farm notified local health officials earlier this week, who rapidly followed up with a rapid avian influenza test.

The positive result was confirmed by genetic testing the following day.

“All chickens at the farm will be culled, incinerated, and buried to prevent further spread of the virus,” the authorities said.

Previously, the HPAI outbreak at a poultry farm in Iwate prefecture was reported in February.

Jiji Press reported that the outbreak in the town of Kanegasaki led to the culling of about 560,000 egg-laying hens at the affected farm.

The bird flu season in Japan typically runs from autumn until the following spring.

What Is HPAI? Global HPAI situation

HPAI is a classification for bird-flu viruses that cause severe disease and high mortality in poultry, and also spreads rapidly.

The influenza A H5N1 virus is one of the most common viruses that cause HPAI.

Others include

• Influenza A H5N8 virus
• Influenza A H5N6 virus
• Influenza A H7N9 virus

Outbreaks of HPAI, especially H5N1, continue in wild birds and poultry worldwide, with active disease zones being reported.

• India

While authorities are culling birds, no human cases have been reported.

• South Korea

• United States

Recent detections include the first confirmed HPAI infections in marine mammals (northern elephant seals) in California -- the first such reported cases in 2026.

• Other regions

Suspected HPAI cases have triggered poultry culls and control measures in the UK and Northern Ireland.

Europe reported multiple outbreaks on commercial poultry farms.

Human Cases

According to the World Health Organization, there have been about 994 confirmed human infections reported worldwide since 2003.

This virus does not appear to transmit easily from person to person, and sustained human-to-human transmission has not been reported.

Karnataka, which is home to ‌the tech hub of Bengaluru, has officially become the first Indian state to implement a wide ban on teenagers using social media.

CM Siddaramaiah announced the move while presenting the annual state Budget today and noted that the ban is aimed at preventing adverse effects of increasing mobile usage on children.

He told officials: "With the objective of preventing adverse effects of increasing mobile usage on children, usage of social media will be banned for children under the age of 16."

Last month, Siddaramaiah had discussed this issue in the meeting of Vice-Chancellors (VC) conclave held in Bengaluru and sought opinions of VCs. During the discussion, he raised concerns about the impact of social on academics.

The move is being supported by multiple state officials including State IT and Biotechnology Minister Priyank Kharge as well as Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao.

Is Any Other State Considering a Ban?

Andhra Pradesh may soon follow Karnataka's steps and ban social media for teenagers under the age of 16 in the state.

Nara Lokesh, Information Technology, Electronics and Communications, Real Time Governance and Human Resources Development Minister for Andhra Pradesh, told Bloomberg at the World Economic Forum 2026 Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland: "As a state, we are studying Australia’s under-16 law, and yes, I believe we need to create a strong legal enactment.

"Youngsters below a certain age should not be on such platforms, as they do not fully understand the content they are exposed to. Thus, a strong legal framework may be required."

TDP national spokesperson Deepak Reddy supported Lokesh's claim and stated: "Children below a certain age are not emotionally mature enough to comprehend the negative and harmful content that is freely available online. That is why the Andhra government is studying global best practices and examining Australia's under-16 social media law."

If implemented successfully, Andhra Pradesh would be the first Indian state to issue the ban and could pave the way for other states to consider such policies. State officials are yet to clarify when the rule will be implemented and if any fines will be attached to it.

How Does Social Media Affect Teenagers?

The researchers found that children aged 9 to 13 who used social media more often did worse on tests that measured skills like reading, memory, and language. They were tested on these abilities two years after the study began. The results were published in a major medical journal called the Journal of the American Medical Association.

The children's brain power was measured using special tests created by the National Institutes of Health, which tested things like how well they remember information and understand language. The study found a clear, but small, drop in the test scores for kids who used social media.

• Kids who used social media for just one extra hour a day scored about 1 to 2 points lower on their memory and reading tests.
• Kids who used social media for up to three extra hours a day saw a bigger drop, scoring as much as 4 points lower.

The United States has issued a travel advisory against global polio. International travel often comes with vaccine reminder and health checks to stay safe. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Level 2 travel advisory for certain international destinations with circulating poliovirus. The CDC has asked travellers to ensure they are up to date on their polio vaccines.

Also Read: 500 Girls In Rajasthan Receive HPV Vaccine In First Five Days Of Prevention Drive

The Destination list for global polio travel Advisory notice includes:

• Afghanistan
• Algeria
• Angola
• Benin
• Burkina Faso
• Cameroon
• Central African Republic
• Chad
• Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Djibouti
• Ethiopia
• Finland
• Germany
• Ghana
• Guinea
• Israel
• the West Bank and Gaza
• Niger
• Nigeria
• Pakistan
• Papua New Guinea
• Poland
• Republic of South Sudan
• Senegal
• Somalia
• Spain
• Sudan
• Tanzania, including Zanzibar
• United Kingdom, including England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland
• Yemen
• Zimbabwe

The CDC issued a 'Level 2' advisory, which means to 'practice enhanced precautions'.

Also Read: The Hidden Cost of Extreme Fitness On Women’s Bodies | Women's Day Special

The advisory suggests that children and adults should be up to date on their routine polio vaccines. Travelers are also asked to get an inactivated polio vaccine booster if they are going to the destination that has circulating poliovirus, or have completed their routine polio vaccine series; and have not already received one adult booster dose.

Types Of Notices Issued By CDC

The CDC issues four different types of notices based on the gravity of the disease spread.

Level 1 : Practice Usual Precautions

Practice usual precautions for this destination, as described in the Travel Health Notice and/or on the destination page.

Level 2: Practice Enhanced Precautions

Practice enhanced precautions for this destination. The Travel Health Notice describes additional precautions or defines a specific population at risk.

Level 3: Reconsider Nonessential Travel

Reconsider nonessential travel to this destination. The outbreak or event poses risk to travelers because limited precautions are available.

Level 4: Avoid All Travel

Avoid travel to this destination unless traveling for humanitarian aid or emergency response; there is an extreme health risk for travelers and no available precautions.

What Is Polio?

The World Health Organization (WHO) notes that it is a highly infectious disease caused by a virus that invades the nervous system and can cause total paralysis in matter of hours. The virus is transmitted by person to person spread mainly through the fecal-oral route, or less frequently, by a common vehicle, which could be either from contaminated food or water. The virus also multiplies in the intestine.

The National Institute of Health (NIH), US, notes that the virus responsible for causing Polio belongs to the Picornaviridae family.

As per the WHO, the common Polio symptoms are:

• Fever
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Vomiting
• Stiffness of the neck a
• Pain in the limbs

How Does Polio Spread?

Polio is mainly transmitted through the faecal-oral route, meaning it spreads when a person consumes food or water contaminated with the virus. It can also spread through close contact with an infected individual. The poliovirus lives in the throat and intestines of those infected, and poor sanitation, unsafe water, and inadequate hygiene greatly increase the risk of transmission, especially in communities with limited access to clean facilities.

In severe cases, polio can lead to acute flaccid paralysis, which may affect the diaphragm and throat muscles, making it difficult to breathe or swallow. Since there is no cure for polio, prevention remains the only line of defence. Raising awareness about polio vaccination is therefore essential to protect individuals, especially children, from this potentially life-threatening disease.