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.

Once marketed as a safer alternative to cigarettes, research now shows that vapes carry serious health risks, including lung damage, meningitis, and cancer.

Unlike cigarettes, these devices are often ready to use, brightly colored, require little effort to activate, and appear more like toys than a harmful product. But due to its addictive flavor, people end up consuming more tobacco than those who smoke unflavored ones.

Globally, 33 countries ban the sale of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), a category that includes e-cigarettes and vapes, according to a 2023 World Health Organization (WHO) report. Another 87 countries regulate the sale of ENDS.

Malaysia has become the latest country to intensify efforts to curb vaping, with the Health Ministry launching a major crackdown on the online promotion and sale of smoking and vape products under Ops Selamat PaPa.

In a statement, the ministry said the operation aims to target the manufacturing, distribution, and sale of all types of smoking products, and protect the younger generation.

“Following its increasing and widespread use, this operation was launched to protect the younger generation from the dangers of smoking products, including electronic cigarettes and vaping,” the statement said.

“We take the complaints raised on social media over online advertising and sales of vape products suspected of violating the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852) seriously," it added.

The Health Ministry said it had investigated 10 websites following the complaints and requested that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission block four of them under the provisions of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588). The remaining six websites are still under investigation, The Straits Times reported.

According to the ministry, as of April 30, a total of 34,903 enforcement operations had been carried out following inspections at 683,704 premises nationwide.

“We constantly monitor online advertising and promotion of tobacco products, including the sale of vapes. We wish to stress that there will be no compromise for those who violate laws,” the ministry said.

UK Parliament Bans Cigarettes and Vapes

The UK Parliament has passed a “landmark bill” to ban smoking among children who were born on or after 1 January 2009.

Under the new Tobacco and Vapes Bill, people aged 17 or younger face a lifelong ban on buying cigarettes. This includes a ban on selling vapes to anyone under 18 and selling them through vending machines.

Vaping A Major Threat Among Under-5s in the US

Vaping has been a serious concern in the United States, with New York Attorney General Letitia James in 2025 filing a lawsuit against e-cigarette manufacturers and distributors.

The lawsuit accused the companies of fueling a youth vaping crisis, alleging that these companies that manufacture vapes, especially with flavors, have misled consumers about the safety of their products while deliberately targeting young people through deceptive marketing.

An April 2026 study, published in JAMA Network Open, for the first time assessed trends in young children's nicotine exposures across all types of products.

Shockingly, electronic cigarette-related incidents increased 243 percent over the past eight years in young children, especially among those under five years of age, said researchers from the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School.

Vaping has also become a more common form of tobacco use among American middle and high school students.

As per the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 1.6 million students used e-cigarettes in 2024, with 87.6 percent of them opting for a flavored product.

One of the beloved football legends, Kevin Keegan, has revealed his ongoing fight with stage four cancer. The news of his health condition has brought on massive support and love from across the football-loving community. The man who inspired generations and contributed both as a player and manager comes forth and reveals that he is getting diagnosed with stage four stomach cancer, and the lethal disease has spread to his other body parts.

The news carried huge value as the former England captain himself talked about his health condition with his usual honesty and humor. The player hailed by his fans as "King Kev" addressed a huge audience in Newcastle. The 75-year-old veteran footballing genius unraveled his journey through the difficult times. His supporters also listened to his self-reflection on the situation completely in silence.

Former Newcastle forward and manager, standing at the Tyne Theatre and Opera House, said, "I was in a car accident and, through that, I had to have an operation. Whilst having the scan for the operation, they found out I had cancer. They said they had an absolute top doctor for fighting what you have got, which is stage four cancer."

"So I went to meet him. He's a Liverpool supporter, so I knew I wouldn't walk alone," he added and continued, "He said, 'Kevin, this new treatment, I've got a tremendous strike rate'. I said, "'What's your strike rate?' He said, '33%'. I thought it would be 80%, 90%. 33%!"

Keegan enjoyed great spells at Scunthorpe United, Liverpool, Hamburg, Southampton, and Newcastle during his illustrious career. Later, he led Newcastle, Fulham, England, and Manchester City.

The player, also popular for his perm hairstyle, was a famous face in British television as a guest on shows and part of an advertisement campaign. He also took part in a public information short-film teaching youngsters how to cross the road. He also brought several pop singles and had a memorable appearance on the television show Superstars.

Also Read: Potential 'Functional Cure' For Hepatitis B: Trial Give Hope To Millions

How To Reduce The Risk Of Cancer?

Consuming a healthy and balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can reduce cancer risk.

Regular physical activity keeps the body fit and reduces the risk of breast, colon, and endometrial cancers.

Smoking and alcohol consumption should be avoided.

Skin cancer is one of the most preventable types of cancer. Applying sunscreen with high SPF, finding shade, and avoiding tanning beds would save you from harmful ultraviolet rays.

Also Read: Space Grown Stem Cells: How Are Expedition 74 Astronauts Helping To Fight Cancer?

Long-term stress can weaken the immune system and may contribute to an increased risk of cancer. Incorporating stress-relief techniques such as mindfulness, practising deep-breathing exercises, and engaging in enjoyable hobbies can enhance overall well-being.

Exposure to environmental elements like pesticides, pollutants, and workplace chemicals can increase the risk of cancer. To avoid this risk, wearing protective gear, opting for organic produce, and ensuring adequate ventilation in living or working areas can greatly assist.

By vaccinating against Hepatitis B and HPV, individuals can protect themselves against infections closely linked to liver and cervical cancers; apart from vaccination, adopting proper hygiene practices and steering clear of high-risk activities can help prevent the risk of cancer-causing infections.

Bangladesh’s deadliest measles outbreak is showing no signs of abating. Since March, the highly infectious disease has claimed nearly 600 children, while suspected cases have crossed 72,000.

What is more worrying is that there are no signs of a slowdown despite nationwide vaccination efforts, and experts believe infections could surge further following increased transmission during the Eid Al-Adha homecoming period.

“Over the weekend, Bangladesh documented more than 1,300 suspected measles cases and two deaths, pushing the country’s tally to nearly 71,000 infections and 585 fatalities since the outbreak began in mid-March,” according to the Bangladeshi Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

As many as 56,886 suspected measles patients have been hospitalized in Bangladesh since March 15, of whom 52,841 have recovered, according to the DGHS, United News of Bangladesh reported.

“There is no sign of a downtrend in measles infection rate across the country,” Dr. Ariful Bashar from Mohakhali Contagious Disease Hospital told Arab News.

“Measles is a highly contagious disease, even six times more than COVID-19. Unless 95 percent immunity is achieved through vaccination, there will be no downtrend in the infection rate,” he added.

Also read: Measles Again On The Rise Globally: Is India At Risk?

Notably, millions of Bangladeshis travelled to their hometowns last week to celebrate Eid Al-Adha.

Bashar said that “as health protocols were not maintained properly”, the country is likely to “witness a future increase in the infection rate”.

The expert noted that Bangladesh also lacks facilities for efficient contact tracing of measles patients, which could further increase the spread of what he described as “the most contagious disease in the world”.

Hospitals Overwhelmed

Since March, hospitals across the country have been overwhelmed as they struggle to isolate and treat hundreds of children admitted every day.

Dr. Mirza Ziaul Islam, director of the Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute, told Arab News that “during the Eid travel period, it was not possible to keep infected patients isolated”, increasing the risk of further transmission.

Also read: India Concerned Over Measles Outbreak, Action Underway: Dr N K Arora| Exclusive

Most Cases And Deaths Among Young Children

Four out of five measles patients are younger than five years, according to The New York Times. The vast majority of deaths have also occurred in this age group, which is highly vulnerable to the airborne virus.

According to the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), Bangladesh had largely contained measles outbreaks since the 1990s through vaccination campaigns. However, immunization efforts were disrupted in 2024 after student-led protests overthrew the government.

The interim administration that governed Bangladesh until elections in late February did not conduct a supplementary mass vaccination campaign as recommended.

Last week, UNICEF said it had repeatedly warned the country’s interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, through written communications and meetings with Health Ministry officials about vaccine shortages that could trigger a major health crisis, local media reported.

Vaccination Drive Underway

In April, Bangladesh’s new government launched an emergency campaign to vaccinate 20 million children.

Although the campaign has reportedly achieved 110 percent of its target and remains ongoing, experts note that only one of the two doses required for strong and durable immunity has been administered so far.

In addition, it takes four to six weeks for immunity to develop after vaccination.

Outbreak Spreads Nationwide

The outbreak began in January in Rohingya refugee camps near the Myanmar border and quickly spread nationwide. It has now reached 58 of Bangladesh’s 64 districts, causing more than 21,000 hospitalisations.

In an April 23 update, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned of a “considerable risk” of spread to Myanmar, where civil strife has disrupted immunisation efforts, and to India, which remains vulnerable. WHO described the outbreak as “a reversal from Bangladesh’s previous progress towards measles elimination.”