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.

Life-threatening bleeding episodes among US infants have risen sharply as more parents refuse the routine vitamin K shot given at birth, two new studies have found.

Published in JAMA and JAMA Pediatrics, the studies found that the proportion of newborns who missed the vitamin K shot more than doubled between 2017 and 2025, reaching 6.8%. These infants were also more likely to experience bleeding, including bleeding in the brain.

Although the studies do not establish causation, the parallel rise in refusals and bleeding episodes is significant, said Dr Steven Woolf, an epidemiologist at Virginia Commonwealth University and lead author of the JAMA Pediatrics study, as reported by NBC News.

"Now we're stepping away from that, and we're seeing the consequences," Woolf said.

Vitamin K shots have been standard newborn care since 1961 and help prevent vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB), a rare but potentially life-threatening condition.

Infant Bleeding Episodes Nearly Quadrupled Since 2017

Woolf and colleagues analysed medical records of more than 11 million infants aged six months and younger between 2017 and 2025.

During this period, the proportion of newborns receiving a vitamin K shot fell from 97.7% to 95%, while vitamin K deficiency bleeding nearly quadrupled.

The researchers identified 5,217 bleeding events during the study period. The rate in 2025 was approximately double that in 2024, Woolf said.

The researchers noted that the increase coincided with declining public trust following the COVID-19 pandemic, growing vaccine hesitancy and parental scepticism about routine newborn interventions.

Vitamin K Refusals More Than Double To 6.8%

A separate JAMA study by Dr Kristan Scott and colleagues analysed medical records of more than 5.2 million US infants born between 2017 and 2025.

The proportion of newborns who missed the vitamin K shot rose from 3.1% in 2017 to 6.8% in 2025. It had reached 5.1% by the end of 2024.

The study also found that infants who did not receive the shot had:

• A 47% higher risk of bleeding during their first six months.
• More than twice the risk of bleeding in the brain.
• More than twice the risk of death associated with a bleeding diagnosis during their birth hospitalisation.

The authors estimated that one additional bleeding event would occur for every 114 newborns who missed the vitamin K shot.

Separately, an analysis of more than one million births by health data company Truveta for Reuters found that vitamin K refusals increased by more than 57% between January and June 2026.

Why Is Vitamin K Important For Newborns?

Vitamin K is a fat-soluble nutrient essential for blood clotting and bone health. Newborns naturally have low levels, leaving them vulnerable to VKDB.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has recommended a vitamin K injection for all newborns since 1961.

Without adequate vitamin K, babies can develop spontaneous bleeding, including severe internal bleeding and bleeding in the brain. These episodes can cause permanent brain damage or death.

Importantly, the vitamin K shot is not a vaccine. It is a one-time injection given shortly after birth to protect babies against VKDB.

Breast milk contains relatively little vitamin K. Exclusively breastfed babies who miss the birth injection therefore remain vulnerable to deficiency bleeding.

The researchers also found increased use of oral vitamin K. However, oral doses are less effective than intramuscular injections, particularly in preventing late-onset VKDB, which can occur weeks or months after birth.

Why Are More Parents Refusing Vitamin K Shots?

Vitamin K refusals have risen since the COVID-19 pandemic amid growing parental concerns about vaccines and routine newborn interventions.

Health experts have also raised concerns about declining trust in health authorities and mixed messages surrounding preventive care.

Refusals have accelerated under US Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, who has questioned vaccine safety and overseen changes to federal childhood vaccination recommendations.

A US Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to recommend vitamin K shots for newborns. However, the department did not say whether the agency would begin tracking refusals or associated bleeding episodes.

Measles, a highly contagious but vaccine-preventable disease, has claimed another young life. Wisconsin has reported its first measles-related death since 1990, taking the reported US death toll to eight in 2026.

The US, which eliminated sustained domestic measles transmission in 2000, is witnessing a major resurgence. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 4,852 confirmed measles cases as of October 29.

According to state health department reports, the country has recorded eight measles-related deaths this year: six in Pennsylvania, one in New York and one in Wisconsin. At least four involved children or infants.

However, the CDC has not yet updated its website and has confirmed only four measles-associated deaths so far this year.

Childhood vaccination rates have declined in recent years, falling below the 95% coverage generally needed to prevent outbreaks.

Disruptions to routine childhood immunisation during the COVID-19 pandemic, declining vaccination coverage and growing vaccine hesitancy have contributed to the resurgence. Vaccine scepticism has also been amplified by anti-vaccine messaging from the Donald Trump-led administration, including Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Also read: Pennsylvania Reports Sixth Measles Death As Outbreak Crosses 1,400 Cases Across 45 Counties

What Happened In The Wisconsin Case?

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) reported the death of an infant due to measles, marking the state's first such death since 1990.

The coroner listed measles as the immediate cause of death, according to the official statement. DHS said it would not release additional information to protect the privacy of the child and family.

"It is with a heavy heart we are reporting the first death of an infant connected with a measles outbreak in Wisconsin in many years. My heart is broken for the family," said DHS Secretary Kirsten Johnson.

"Any death of a child is a tragedy and even more so when it is related to a vaccine-preventable disease. Measles can cause serious illness and death, and all Wisconsinites need to evaluate their risk and take steps to protect themselves and their family."

Wisconsin Reports More Than 400 Measles Cases

Also read: EXCLUSIVE: Ex-CDC Vaccine Advisor Says Measles Outbreak Bigger Than Reported, Slams RFK Jr’s ‘No-See Evil’ Approach

As of November 3, Wisconsin had reported 431 measles cases across 13 counties in 2026, the highest number recorded in the state in more than 35 years. Nine people have required hospitalisation due to severe symptoms.

Reported case counts may not reflect the full extent of transmission. Not everyone who develops symptoms seeks medical care or undergoes testing, meaning some infections may go unreported.

Why Are Children At Risk?

Declining childhood vaccination coverage is a major concern. US vaccination rates have fallen below the 95% coverage generally needed to prevent measles outbreaks.

Children younger than five years, pregnant people and those with weakened immune systems are at increased risk of severe complications.

Two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine are approximately 97% effective against measles. Children as young as six months may receive an early dose in certain circumstances, including travel to areas experiencing outbreaks. This early dose does not replace the two routine doses recommended later in childhood.

What Are The Symptoms And Complications Of Measles?

Measles spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus can remain infectious in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours.

Initial symptoms include:

• High fever
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Red, watery eyes

A rash usually develops several days later, beginning on the face and spreading down the body.

Although many people recover, measles can cause serious and potentially life-threatening complications, including pneumonia and encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain. The infection can also weaken the immune system, increasing vulnerability to other infections.

The sudden collapse and death of a nine-year-old girl inside her Delhi classroom following a cardiac arrest has raised concerns about sudden cardiac emergencies in children. The Class 3 student reportedly collapsed shortly after returning to the classroom from a games period.

CCTV footage showed her entering the classroom, holding her waist and falling to the floor. A teacher rushed to help her, while school staff took her to a nearby hospital. She was subsequently taken to another hospital in Nirman Vihar, where doctors declared her dead.

Speaking to HealthandMe, Dr Neeraj Awasthy, Senior Director, Pediatric Cardiology, Fortis Hospital, Okhla, said the heart condition in children are extremely rare and differ from those in adults.

"In adults, a heart attack is usually caused by a blockage in the arteries supplying the heart. In children, sudden cardiac arrest is more often associated with an underlying heart condition, such as a structural abnormality, an inherited problem affecting the heart rhythm or inflammation of the heart muscle," he said.

What Causes Sudden Cardiac Events In Children?

Also read: Spanish Striker Jesus De Miguel Dies After On-Field Collision: Can A Blow To The Chest Trigger Cardiac Arrest?

According to Dr Awasthy, sudden cardiac arrest in children is commonly associated with structural heart abnormalities, inherited rhythm disorders and inflammation of the heart muscle.

In a post on X, Dr Sudhir Kumar, Neurologist at Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, identified other conditions that can trigger cardiac arrest in apparently healthy children:

• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
• Long QT syndrome.
• Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT).
• Congenital coronary artery abnormalities.
• Myocarditis.

Some children may have no symptoms until a life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia occurs, he noted.

Does Genetics Contribute To Sudden Cardiac Death?

Nearly one in five sudden cardiac deaths in young people may have a definite genetic explanation, according to scientist Vinod Scaria.

In a post on X, he identified three groups of inherited conditions linked to this risk:

• Cardiac channelopathies.
• Cardiomyopathies.
• Familial hypercholesterolaemia.

An analysis of Indian genomes found variants associated with channelopathies in approximately 1% of individuals, cardiomyopathies in more than 1.5% and familial hypercholesterolaemia in about one in 150 individuals, Scaria said.

A molecular autopsy can identify genetic causes that a conventional autopsy may miss. Since many of these conditions are inherited in an autosomal dominant manner, up to half of first-degree relatives could carry the same genetic variant.

People with a family history of unexplained sudden death or inherited heart disease should seek genetic counselling.

What Warning Signs Should Parents Watch For?

Read More: Energy Drinks Linked To More Heart Problems In Young Adults: Study Flags Cardiac Risks

Dr Awasthy and Dr Kumar highlighted the following warning signs:

• Fainting during physical activity.
• Unexplained chest pain.
• Breathlessness.
• A racing heartbeat.

What Should You Do If A Child Suddenly Collapses?

Dr Kumar said immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and access to an automated external defibrillator (AED) can save a child's life if they collapse and are unresponsive or not breathing normally. He also outlined the steps teachers and bystanders should take:

1. Check responsiveness and breathing: Do this for no more than 10 seconds.
2. Call emergency services: If the child is unresponsive and not breathing normally or is only gasping, call an ambulance.
3. Get an AED: Ask someone to bring one.
4. Start CPR immediately: Do not wait for the ambulance.

For a school-age child, he advised:

• Perform chest compressions at 100–120 per minute.
• Compress the chest approximately 5 cm, or one-third of its depth.
• If trained, give 30 compressions followed by two rescue breaths when performing CPR alone.
• Minimise interruptions.
• Use an AED as soon as available and follow its instructions.

How Can Schools Prepare For Cardiac Emergencies?

Dr Kumar recommended that schools:

• Train all teachers and support staff in CPR and basic life support.
• Make AEDs accessible on campus.
• Establish clear emergency response protocols.
• Ensure staff know how to contact emergency services.
• Conduct regular mock drills.