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.

15-year-old Tanvi Pariyani’s death at AIIMS Delhi has raised questions about the treatment of a rare and complex congenital heart condition she had been living with since childhood.

Tanvi, from Kota, had been visiting AIIMS since she was two. Her medical records listed ventricular septal defect (VSD) with pulmonary atresia, a combination that can make treatment considerably more complicated than just a 'hole in the heart'.

Tanvi’s family has alleged that corrective surgery was repeatedly postponed. AIIMS, however, said its treating team concluded in 2017 that corrective surgery was not feasible because of the complexity of her cardiac anatomy and advised medical management.

The hospital has now constituted a committee to review her complete clinical records, investigations, treatment, expert opinions and the circumstances surrounding her death. An autopsy is also underway.

What Is Pulmonary Atresia With VSD?

A VSD is a hole in the wall separating the heart’s two lower chambers. The right side of the heart pumps oxygen-poor blood towards the lungs through the pulmonary artery.

In pulmonary atresia, the normal route through which blood leaves the right side of the heart and reaches the lungs is blocked or has not developed properly.

This can severely block blood flow to the lungs and reduce the amount of oxygen entering the bloodstream.

When pulmonary atresia occurs along with VSD, doctors have to deal with multiple abnormalities rather than simply closing the hole.

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Treatment Is Complicated

Some children may initially require procedures to ensure adequate blood reaches the lungs. Doctors may use medicines temporarily and later create an alternative pathway for blood flow through a shunt.

In some patients, the pulmonary arteries remain very small and the body develops additional blood vessels supplying the lungs.

These vessels, called major aortopulmonary collateral arteries (MAPCAs), may need to be brought together through a procedure called unifocalisation.

A conduit may then be used to connect the heart to the lungs, while the VSD may also need to be closed.

The anatomy can also change as a child grows. Small pulmonary arteries, abnormal blood vessels and rising pressure in the lungs can make later surgical repair more challenging.

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Events Leading Upto The Teen's Unfortunate Death

According to AIIMS, Tanvi was admitted on August 24 after her condition deteriorated and was being evaluated for a possible heart-lung transplant.

On September 1, she developed severe cyanosis, and her oxygen saturation fell to around 48%. AIIMS said she subsequently suffered a hypoxic spell followed by cardiac arrest. Despite oxygen support and resuscitation, she could not be revived and was declared dead at 5:06 am.

“The Director, AIIMS, New Delhi has constituted a committee to examine the matter in detail, review the sequence of events and establish the facts,” the institute said.

The committee’s findings and autopsy report will be important in establishing what happened and whether any intervention could have altered the outcome.

A new US CDC study has warned of a threefold rise in identifications of Trichophyton indotineae, a skin fungus that causes ringworm and is resistant to standard treatment.

Between 2022 and 2025, T. indotineae was identified in 29 countries, with resistance to terbinafine, a commonly used antifungal medication. The first US case was reported in 2023.

Most cases are treated with terbinafine, either as a cream or a pill.

“Our results reveal a marked global increase in T. indotineae isolation,” the authors wrote in their paper, published in the CDC’s monthly journal, Emerging Infectious Diseases.

What Did The Study Find?

During the study period, 566 users from 54 countries submitted 1,657,334 spectra that led to the identification of fungal agents.

• 123,025 (7.7%) were identified as Trichophyton spp. by 316 users across 44 countries.
• 3,399 (0.2%) were identified as T. indotineae by 183 users across 29 countries.
• Europe accounted for the largest share of users (63.8%), followed by Asia (16.8%), Latin America (15.7%), North America (1.6%), Oceania (1.6%), and Africa (0.5%).
• Most T. indotineae spectra were identified in Europe — 3,040 (89.4%).
• T. indotineae was also identified in countries where no cases had previously been reported, including Bulgaria, Croatia, Colombia, Luxembourg, and Uruguay.

However, the research cannot tell us how many people globally are contracting T. indotineae; it only shows that laboratories are detecting it more often.

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What Is Ringworm?

Ringworm has nothing to do with worms. The misleading name refers to an infection caused by dermatophytes, fungi that thrive in warmth and moisture.

It can affect people of all ages and is highly contagious. Careful attention and immediate treatment are required to control the infection effectively.

Ringworm, also called tinea corporis, is a skin infection caused by fungal spores invading the dead outer layers of the skin. It typically presents as circular, red, scaly patches accompanied by itching or discomfort.

Signs And Symptoms

Symptoms of ringworm depend on where the infection develops:

• Skin: It usually begins as a red, scaly patch or bump.
• Scalp: It may start as small, pimple-like lesions that progress into scaly, patchy areas.
• Nails: The nails may become thickened, discolored, brittle, or crumbly.

How Is Ringworm Transmitted?

Ringworm is highly infectious and can be transmitted through:

• Direct skin-to-skin contact: Touching an infected person can transmit fungal spores.
• Indirect contact: Sharing towels, bedding, or clothes with an infected person can spread the infection.
• Animals to humans: Ringworm can be carried by pets, including cats and dogs, without showing symptoms.

How To Prevent Ringworm

Preventing ringworm is largely about maintaining good hygiene and avoiding contact with infected people or animals.

• Shower regularly, dry thoroughly, and change clothes daily.
• Do not share towels, combs, or bedding.
• Wear flip-flops or sandals in community showers, tanning rooms, locker rooms, and pool areas.
• Consult a veterinarian if your animal displays signs of ringworm.
• Prevent fungal growth by keeping moist areas such as the groin and feet dry.

When To Seek Medical Attention?

Left untreated, ringworm can spread across the body or penetrate further, potentially leading to complications such as secondary bacterial infections.

See a doctor if:

• Symptoms do not go away with treatment.
• The infection affects the scalp or nails.
• You feel very uncomfortable or the affected area is severely inflamed.

Bhutan has achieved a major public health milestone that several countries, including India, are still attempting to.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has validated Bhutan’s elimination of dog-transmitted rabies as a public health problem, making it the first country in the WHO South-East Asia Region to achieve this milestone.

Bhutan's achievement comes after it recorded zero human deaths from dog-induced rabies since June 2023. It also demonstrated that it has the systems needed to prevent the disease from returning.

In India, rabies continues to remain a major public health concern. Bhutan’s public health achievement, therefore, offers an important lesson for India and other countries. Eliminating rabies means tackling the disease at its source, rather than relying only on treatment after a dog bite.

How Did Bhutan Eradicate Rabies?

Bhutan’s progress towards rabies eradication was built over more than a decade through a One Health approach, bringing together human health, veterinary services, local governments and communities.

The country’s Nationwide Accelerated Dog Population Management and Rabies Control Programme focused on mass dog vaccination, population management, surveillance and community awareness.

“Bhutan has shown that eliminating dog-mediated human rabies is possible when strong national leadership, a mature One Health approach and communities come together around a shared goal,” said Dr Nilesh Buddha, Officer-in-Charge, WHO South-East Asia Region.

Bhutan also became the first country to sterilise its entire dog population that roamed freely on the streets through a nationwide programme.

WHO said Bhutan maintained universal, free access to post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) across all 20 districts, while continuing mass dog vaccination and integrated human-animal surveillance. Cross-border coordination with Indian states is also being strengthened to protect the achievement.

“Bhutan's success shows that the health of humans, animals and the environment we share is inextricably linked,” WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.

He added that the fight against rabies is won by bringing health workers, veterinarians and communities together rather than working in silos.

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What Can India Learn From Bhutan?

In terms of rabies eradication, India has made progress, but the burden remains substantial.

WHO estimates that 5,726 people die from rabies in India every year, based on an ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology study. Around 9.1 million animal bites occur annually, with more than three-quarters caused by dogs.

The Indian government’s National Rabies Control Programme also states that around 96% of rabies mortality and morbidity is associated with dog bites.

India already has systems in place that could help with elimination of rabies. The Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023 provide for sterilisation and vaccination of stray dogs, while the National Rabies Control Programme focuses on ensuring access to PEP for people exposed to animal bites.

Bhutan’s experience shows that rabies elimination cannot depend only on giving vaccines to people after bites occur. Vaccinating dogs, controlling dog populations, strengthening surveillance, ensuring rapid access to PEP and improving community awareness have to work together.

Dr Soneet Yadav, ER Consultant, Ruby Hall Clinic, Pune, told HealthandMe, "Rabies keeps claiming lives mainly because people wait long for post‑exposure treatment and because we do not control Rabies in stray and free‑roaming dogs well. To get rid of rabies, India must use a coordinated "One Health" plan that brings together health workers, city officials, vets and animal‑care groups.”

He added, “The important goal is to make sure many dogs get vaccinated all the time while we also run birth‑control programmes and keep a tighter watch on animal‑bite incidents. In hospitals in rural and underserved areas, anti‑rabies shots and Rabies Immunoglobulin (RIG) should always be available. I think people need to hear that every suspected Rabies exposure means they must go to a doctor fast.”

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What You Should Do Immediately After A Bite?

Once the virus reaches your nervous system, modern medicine will not be able to help you as there is no cure. But rabies is 100 per cent preventable if treated in time.

The moment you realise you have been licked, scratched, or bitten by an animal, especially one that is unvaccinated or unknown, Dr Yadav recommends the following things:

1. Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes.
2. Apply antiseptic like iodine or alcohol.
3. Avoid putting chilli, turmeric, oil or other ingredients on the wound
4. Rush to a doctor; do not wait for swelling, itching or any other sign. You will need a post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) shot, which includes a course of anti-rabies vaccines and sometimes immunoglobulin injections.
5. Keep a record of the animal if possible. If it is someone’s pet, you will want to confirm their vaccination history.