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.

After recalling lettuce that may have been linked to a severe nationwide Cyclospora outbreak in the US, Taylor Farms has now recalled 20 more products, including salsa and guacamole, over concerns about possible Salmonella contamination.

Taylor Farms also said on social media that none of its Taylor Farms-branded salad kits are associated with the outbreak. Most of the recalled lettuce was sold in large bags to food-service operations, including restaurants, with many products containing romaine lettuce.

Why Has Taylor Farms Issued Another Recall?

In a statement on August 9, Taylor Farms said the latest recall is tied to fresh jalapeños supplied by Coast Citrus Distributors. A grower in Sinaloa, Mexico, that supplies Coast Citrus was identified as a potential source of the Salmonella outbreak.

“Taylor Fresh Foods is no longer sourcing products from this farmer and will be filling orders from alternative suppliers,” the company said on its website.

Where Were the Recalled Products Sold?

The recalled products were sold in several states, including Texas, and distributed to major retailers such as Target, Walmart and Whole Foods.

Taylor Farms products were also recalled from Target, Trader Joe’s and Scarborough, Maine-based supermarket chain Hannaford across about 20 states.

Walmart said it had removed the impacted products from its stores and implemented a sales block at its registers and online. Kroger, Target, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s and Hannaford-parent Ahold Delhaize did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Jalapeños

The CDC and FDA said earlier this week that they were investigating a Salmonella outbreak that had sickened 345 people across 27 states and led to 36 hospitalizations.

The US investigation identified restaurants including Chipotle Mexican Grill and Qdoba as having received jalapeños imported by Coast Citrus Distributors, Reuters reported.

Both restaurants stopped using the jalapeños, while Coast Citrus recalled the remaining product and notified customers.

USDA Issues Alert for Meat and Poultry Products

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has also issued a new public health alert for 18 meat and poultry products containing recalled jalapeño peppers potentially contaminated with Salmonella.

The products were made using jalapeños that had already been recalled by the FDA. Many of the affected products are sold under brands including Taylor Farms, Walmart’s Marketside and H-E-B. The products have expiry dates extending through August 15.

The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) said the issue came to light after the FDA notified the agency that several meat and poultry establishments had received the recalled jalapeños as an ingredient.

The agency warned that some of the products may still be sitting in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers and advised people not to eat them. Retailers have also been told not to sell the affected products.

What Are the Symptoms of Salmonella?

Young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems are at greater risk of developing severe illness.

Contaminated food may look, smell and taste completely normal, meaning consumers cannot rely on appearance or taste to determine whether food is safe.

Consumers who have purchased products covered by the USDA alert should not eat them. They should discard them safely or return them to the place of purchase.

Anyone who develops symptoms after eating a potentially contaminated product should contact a healthcare provider and disclose the possible Salmonella exposure.

A harmless day at the beach may come with an unexpected health risk this summer as Louisiana health officials have warned residents and beachgoers about an increase in infections caused by Vibrio vulnificus, a deadly bacterium that is found in warm coastal and brackish waters.

Louisiana has reported nine Vibrio vulnificus infections so far in 2026. According to the Louisiana Department of Health, five among nine patients who were hospitalized died.

During the same period over the previous decade, the state saw about seven cases and one death.

The warning comes as Gulf Coast waters can get warmer, creating conditions in which Vibrio can thrive.

Can You Pick Up An Infection At The Beach?

Also read: Vibrio Vulnificus: US Records First Flesh-eating Bacteria Death Of 2026

If bacteria enter through a cut or other break in the skin, you may contract an infection. Vibrio vulnificus naturally occurs in warm saltwater and brackish water, where fresh and saltwater mix.

A swimmer with an open wound, scrape, recent piercing, tattoo or surgical incision can become infected when the wound comes into contact with contaminated water.

The bacteria can also cause infection after someone eats raw or undercooked shellfish, specially oysters.

The term 'flesh-eating bacteria' sounds straight out of a zombie horror film, but there is a scientific reason behind the nickname.

Vibrio vulnificus can cause severe wound infections and, in some cases, necrotizing fasciitis, a rapidly progressing infection that destroys tissue.

Why Is Vibrio Dangerous?

Also read: AI-Designed Viruses Have Been Successfully Tested In Lab But Scientists Are Worried; Here's Why

The infection is uncommon, but it can become severe pretty quickly. The CDC estimates that roughly one in five people with Vibrio vulnificus infection die, although the risk varies depending on the illness, delay in treatment and the patient’s health.

People with liver disease, diabetes, weakened immunity and certain chronic illnesses are particularly vulnerable to this infection. Older adults are also at higher risk.

Louisiana state epidemiologist Theresa Sokol has previously warned that the bacteria can progress rapidly.

“If you have a wound, that’s when you really need to try to stay out of the salt or brackish water,” Sokol said.

How To Protect Yourself?

An infected wound may initially turn red, swollen, painful or warm. Discoloration, blistering, fever and chills may indicate a more serious infection.

Louisiana health officials advise seeking medical care immediately if a wound exposed to salt or brackish water develops these symptoms and telling the healthcare provider about the water exposure.

The CDC recommends:

• Avoid swimming or wading in saltwater or brackish water if you have an open wound.
• Cover wounds with a waterproof bandage if exposure is unavoidable.
• Wash wounds thoroughly with soap and clean running water after contact with coastal water.
• Avoid raw or undercooked shellfish, particularly oysters.
• Seek medical attention quickly if infection symptoms appear after exposure or wounds change rapidly.

A 2026 study published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology also found substantial seasonal Vibrio concentrations in southeast Louisiana recreational waters, with the highest average concentrations during June, July and August.

For most healthy beachgoers, this is not a reason to cancel summer plans. But anyone with an open wound or underlying health condition, should keep the wound out of waters, and don’t ignore a rapidly changing wound after exposure.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has stepped up enforcement across the food, beverage and FMCG sectors, with the drive gathering pace since July.

In recent weeks, FSSAI has acted against or scrutinised products and companies over misleading claims, hygiene and food-safety violations, non-compliant ingredients, labelling issues and failure to meet prescribed standards.

The action has covered packaged foods, liquor, edible oils, sweeteners and high-caffeine beverages.

What Has FSSAI Cracked Down On?

1. Dabur — “100%” Claims

FSSAI directed Dabur India to prohibit the sale of food products such as honey, cow ghee and edible oils carrying “100%” claims.

Dabur challenged the action, accusing FSSAI of favouring certain manufacturers. The company approached the Delhi High Court, which stayed the order, with Dabur arguing that the action was taken without allowing it to be heard.

Dabur also submitted that the “100%” claim is used by several other manufacturers. The matter will next be heard by the Delhi High Court on August 24.

2. Liquor Brands — Artificial Flavouring

The food safety regulator has banned the sale of select whisky and rum products from major liquor companies, including Diageo India’s United Spirits, after finding artificial or “nature-identical” flavouring that allegedly violates Indian food standards.

The affected products include United Spirits’ Antiquity Blue Whisky and Royal Challenge Whisky manufactured in Madhya Pradesh, Inbrew’s Bagpiper Deluxe Whisky and Old Cask Deluxe XXX Rum, and three variants of Old Monk produced by Mohan Rocky Springwater in Maharashtra.

3. VKC Nuts — licence suspended

The licence was suspended following serious food-safety and hygiene violations, including live insects in pistachios stored in the finished goods storage area, and heavy black mould and fungal growth observed on the walls and ceilings of the raw material storage area.

4. Chheda Specialities Foods — licence suspended

The Mumbai-based ethnic snack and namkeen manufacturer faced licence suspension over serious hygiene violations. Inspections reportedly found unhygienic handling, roof leakages, fungal growth near edible oil storage tanks and poor waste management.

5. Fortune Fryola — Vitamin D standards

Action was taken against AWL Agri Business after its fortified sunflower oil failed prescribed Vitamin D standards.

6. PIE Foods — monk fruit sweetener

Action involved related compliance issues. FSSAI also flagged product labels that lacked mandatory declarations and carried claims including “100% Monk Fruit Extract” and “Natural Ingredients”. Its e-commerce website also carried the claim “Doctor Recommended”.

7. High-caffeine beverages — “energy drink” claims

FSSAI has continued action over products using the term “energy drink” without meeting relevant standards. Brands involved include Red Bull, Monster, Sting and Adrenaline Rush.

Other Recent Actions

Switz Foods: Licence suspended over food-safety and hygiene violations.

Matri Drinking Water: Licence suspended over food-safety, storage and hygiene issues.

Noble Healthcare – Venolex Forte: Action over non-permitted ingredients and excessive Vitamin C.

Vatave Healthcare – Folineuro Syrup: Action over brain-function claims.

Global Healthfit Retail – Neuherbs True Vitamin: Action over product naming and claim-related compliance.

Why Does the Crackdown Matter?

Stronger enforcement could improve food quality, curb misleading claims and encourage manufacturers to comply with safety standards, experts say.

“Although late, this initiative of enforcement of correct ingredients of the products is very beneficial in the long-term health of the nation, especially the youth health, those who consume more of the packed items including beverages, canned food and drinks, fruit drinks and packed milk,” said Dr Mohsin Wali, Senior Consultant, Department of Medicine, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, told HealthandMe.

Why Clear Labelling Matters

Dr Wali said food labels should be properly sized, readable and clearly displayed, with key information prominently placed rather than hidden on the sides or bottom of packaging.

He also said ingredients should be clearly identified rather than represented through codes. If an emulsifier is used, for example, the specific emulsifier should be named.

According to Dr Wali, stronger enforcement could help prevent diseases including obesity, PCOD, atherosclerosis, heart disease, stroke and hypertension.