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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 who might get pregnant should talk to their doctor about the MMR vaccine. It's safe to get the shot while breastfeeding.
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An artificial intelligence (AI)-powered blood test has accurately detected liver cancer in patients from two geographically and biologically distinct populations.
It is being considered a breakthrough that can help researchers develop accessible and effective screening for people at high risk of the disease.
The study by researchers from Johns Hopkins University, validated an AI-based blood test in 377 participants from Guatemala and Romania, two populations with different genetic backgrounds and major causes of liver disease.
The findings suggest the technology may be effective across diverse populations. It marks an important step in deploying AI in real-world clinical use.
The test is based on DELFI (DNA Evaluation of Fragments for Early Interception), an AI platform that analyses patterns in cell-free DNA fragments circulating in the bloodstream.
Rather than searching for a single mutation, the algorithm detects subtle changes in how DNA is fragmented, which is a sign of cancer.
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Researchers found that when the DELFI blood test was combined with the commonly used liver cancer biomarker alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), along with a patient's age and sex, it detected 89% of liver cancers overall and 79% of early-stage cancers.
This was significantly better and effective than AFP testing alone, which has limited sensitivity for detecting tumours at an early stage.
The study also provided new insights into why the test performs well, showing that DNA fragmentation patterns carry biological signals linked with liver cancer across different patients from different backgrounds.
According to the researchers, this strengthens confidence that the AI technology could be applied beyond a single country or healthcare setting and can be used to improve liver cancer detection systems.
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Healthy and cancerous cells release tiny fragments of DNA into the bloodstream. The DELFI platform uses AI to examine the size, distribution, and genomic patterns of these fragments.
Instead of looking for a specific mutation, it recognises fragmentation signs that indicate the presence of liver cancer, making it possible to identify the disease using just a simple blood sample.
While the findings are promising, the researchers emphasised that the test is not yet ready for routine clinical use.
Larger human clinical studies will be needed before it can become part of standard liver cancer screening programmes.
If future trials confirm these results, AI-powered blood tests could become a valuable addition to current cancer detection processes, helping doctors detect liver cancer earlier and improving outcomes for people at highest risk.
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Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common type of liver cancer, is often diagnosed only after symptoms develop, reducing the chances of successful treatment.
People living with cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis B or hepatitis C infection, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) are at particularly high risk of contracting this disease.
The existing screening methods, including ultrasound and AFP testing, can miss early cancers, while access to imaging is limited in many parts of the world.
A blood-based test that performs consistently across diverse populations could help improve screening and identify cancers when they are still treatable.
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From weight loss and diabetes to cancers and much more, GLP-1 drugs have delivered blockbuster results and transformed treatment for millions of people worldwide.
Clinical data have consistently shown that GLP-1 receptor agonists containing semaglutide and tirzepatide—including Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro—reduce overall mortality as well as the risk of heart-related deaths.
However, reports from the UK and US have linked these medicines to more than 200 deaths. While a direct causal relationship has not been established and millions of people use these medications safely, high-profile inquests and adverse event databases have highlighted reports of deaths in which these drugs were listed as a suspected contributing factor, including cases associated with severe complications, dosing errors, and the use of counterfeit or compounded products.
Data submitted to the UK's Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) show a total of 82 deaths associated with glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, the class of drugs used to treat obesity and type 2 diabetes, up to January 31, 2025.
The data includes 22 deaths associated with GLP-1 agonists used for weight loss, while 60 deaths were linked to their use in treating type 2 diabetes. As per the MHRA data:
"The decision to start, continue, or stop treatments should be made jointly by patients and their doctor, based on full consideration of benefits and risks," said Alison Cave, MHRA Chief Safety Officer.
In 2026, the deaths of two people in Northern Ireland potentially linked to Wegovy and Mounjaro injections were also reported to the MHRA.
The two cases are among more than 500 suspected adverse drug reaction reports submitted from Northern Ireland over the past two years related to GLP-1 medications.
In the US, Ozempic and Wegovy have been linked to 162 deaths since 2018, according to reports in the FDA's FAERS (FDA Adverse Event Reporting System) database.
While none of the deaths have been proven to be directly caused by semaglutide injections, the reports indicate the drugs were listed as a factor in the fatalities.
Driven by the rising prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes, the use of GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound has increased dramatically in recent years. The global GLP-1 drug market is estimated to reach $200 billion by 2030.
Although each medication has distinct FDA-approved uses, they share four common mechanisms of action:
In June 2026, the FDA raised concerns about patients and healthcare professionals seeking unapproved versions of GLP-1 receptor agonists, including semaglutide and tirzepatide, for weight loss.
The agency warned that unapproved products do not undergo FDA review for safety, effectiveness or quality before being marketed.
The FDA recommends that:
The FDA advises consumers to watch for warning signs, including companies that:
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Even as the ongoing Chandipura virus outbreak in Gujarat and Rajasthan has reportedly claimed 22 lives, most of them children, the Centre has launched a comprehensive 'One Health' investigation that combines human, animal and vector surveillance to better understand how the virus spreads and how future outbreaks can be contained.
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has deployed a National Joint Outbreak Response Team (NJORT) comprising experts from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD). The team will support the two states in outbreak investigations, strengthen surveillance and recommend evidence-based public health measures.
The investigation aims to improve understanding of the Chandipura virus by studying:
The exercise brings together experts in epidemiology, virology, entomology, veterinary sciences and laboratory diagnostics to study infections ranging from mild fever to Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES).
Also read: Breastfeeding Can Help Reduce Mothers' Risk of Type 2 Diabetes, Breast Cancer and More
As part of the investigation, authorities have stepped up surveillance among patients presenting with:
Researchers are also conducting community-based serosurveys to estimate asymptomatic infections and understand the true extent of virus transmission. At the same time, laboratories are working to strengthen diagnostic tests and develop improved animal models to better understand the disease.
While sandflies are the established vectors of Chandipura virus, the scientists are also investigating whether other arthropods—including mosquitoes, ticks and mites—could play a role in transmission, the Ministry said.
Large numbers of vector samples collected from affected areas are currently undergoing laboratory analysis. However, officials have stressed that it is too early to identify the vector responsible for the current outbreak until scientific investigations are complete.
Animal surveillance has been expanded to determine whether domestic animals could act as reservoirs for the virus.
Blood samples collected include:
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Around 70 animal blood samples have been collected so far and are being tested for Chandipura virus and other relevant pathogens. Authorities have clarified that no conclusions can be drawn until laboratory investigations are completed. The scientists' team is also examining whether the virus has undergone genetic changes.
While scientists investigate how the virus spreads and whether it has evolved, HealthandMe spoke to infectious disease experts who stressed that parents should focus on recognising symptoms early, as there is no specific antiviral treatment or vaccine for Chandipura virus.
Dr. Subramanian Swaminathan, Senior Consultant, Infectious Diseases, Gleneagles Chennai, says the recent cases are a reminder to remain vigilant—not alarmed.
"The virus can cause severe illness, particularly in children under 15 years, but prompt recognition and early hospital care can make a difference," he said.
He added that not every fever during the monsoon is Chandipura virus, but children with warning signs in affected areas should be evaluated without delay.
The doctor advised seeking immediate medical attention if a child develops:
Dr. Divya Shetty, Infectious Diseases Specialist at Apollo Hospitals, Seshadripuram, added that the illness can progress rapidly.
"Within 24–48 hours, children may develop neurological symptoms such as lethargy, irritability or altered consciousness. In severe cases, deterioration to coma can occur within 48–72 hours."
According to Dr. Shetty, Chandipura virus is endemic and cyclical in Gujarat, with cases typically increasing during the monsoon.
"There is no documented human-to-human transmission. Chandipura virus is a vector-borne infection," Dr. Shetty told HealthandMe.
The experts stressed that there is no approved antiviral treatment or vaccine for Chandipura virus. Treatment focuses on supportive care, including:
To reduce the risk of infection, they recommended:
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