Author: admin

The number of reported measles cases in the US has reached a 33-year high, with nearly 1,300 confirmed infections across the country as of Friday.

The data, released by John Hopkins University, marks a new milestone in an ongoing outbreak of the highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease that was once thought to be eliminated in the US.

Measles cases have been reported in 38 states and the District of Columbia this year. At least three people have died from the illness, and 155 others were in hospital.

A vast majority of the measles cases – 92% – were in people who were either unvaccinated or whose vaccination status was unknown, according to the Centres for Disease Control (CDC).

The worst hit state is Texas, CDC data shows, where more than 700 cases have been reported. Other states with dozens of cases include Kansas and New Mexico.

Health officials say that measles spread is occurring mostly in neighbourhoods where vaccination rates are lower, such as Mennonite communities in Texas that opt out of modern medicine.

The outbreak comes as anti-vaccine sentiment in the US and elsewhere has grown in recent years.

Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr had previously spread misinformation about childhood vaccinations and had minimised the outbreak. He later endorsed the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine as illness spread, saying in a post on X that it is “the most effective way to prevent the spread of measles”.

Measles cases in the US were at their highest in recent memory in 1990, with nearly 28,000 reported infections, according to CDC data.

The illness was later declared eliminated around the year 2000, when cases sharply declined to less than 90 thanks to high vaccination rates and rapid outbreak response.

Cases started ticking up slightly in 2014 and again in 2019, when 1,274 confirmed infections were reported. But cases in 2025 have just surpassed that figure, with 1,277 infections now reported across the US.

Public health experts have said that the US will lose measles elimination status if there is continued spread of measles at the current rate for more than 12 months.

As a result of the current outbreak, more people are now getting the measles vaccine in the US. Between 1 January and 16 March, Texas gave at least 173, 000 measles doses compared to 158,000 in the same time period last year, state health department data shows.

The MMR vaccine is the most effective way to fight off the dangerous virus, which can lead to pneumonia, brain swelling and death. The jabs are 97% effective and also immunise against mumps and rubella.

Large measles outbreaks have been reported recently in other countries, including the UK. Last year marked the highest number of confirmed measles cases reported in England since 2012 at nearly 3,000.

Since January of this year, there had been 529 cases reported in England.

Canada is also experiencing a measles outbreak, with more than 3,000 cases reported in 2025 so far. The bulk of the cases are in the provinces of Ontario and Alberta.

Levi-Mariah Verrall

Levi-Mariah Verrall

Until now, the only healthy alternatives to sugar have been known as stevia, truvia, monk fruit extract, coconut sugar, date sugar and more. All of these might be healthier for consumption than sugar but do have similar harmful effects on the body in lesser quantities.Now, an expert has shared a unique alternative to sugar that not only doesn’t spike blood sugar and insulin levels but also reduces fat. Dr Alok Chopra, cardiologist and functional medicine expert defined the alternative as allulose, which is 70% as sweet as sugar.“Allulose is a rare sugar alternative that doesn’t spike blood sugar or insulin levels, making it a promising option for those managing diabetes or insulin resistance,” shared the doctor on Instagram. Additionally, he added that 70% of allulose is absorbed in the blood and passes out in the urine.

What are the benefits of allulose?

The doctor even mentioned the benefits of consuming allulose:Low calories: With just 0.2-0.4 calories per gram, it consists of only 1/10th of the calories of sugar.Vital for organs: It is safe for vital organs such as the liver, kidneys and fat tissues and also reduces inflammation and oxidative stress.Healthy for blood-sugar: With its low glycemic index, allulose improves insulin sensitivity and reduces post-meal glucose spikes.Increases energy: Allulose not only boosts mitochondrial function but also improves endurance and protects the body against diabetic nephropathy.Improves metabolism and reduces fat: Allulose also helps in fat burning, reduces body fat and enhances feelings of satiation.

What are the natural sources of Allulose?

Naturally, allulose is present in small amounts in wheat figs, raisins, molasses, maple syrup, jackfruit, kiwi, caramel, juices and coffee. In terms of commercial production, they are made enzymatically by converting fructose, making it affordable and accessible.

How is Allulose better than other alternatives?

Well, according to the cardiologist, all other sugar alternatives are nothing when compared to allulose. He added how stevia and truvia are often mixed with artificial sweeteners and their long-term use can increase craving and weight. Other sugars such as coconut and date are natural but have varying glycemic impacts.According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, a 5g-10g intake of allulose per meal is effective enough to lower postprandial blood glucose levels.Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only. Consult a certified physician before pursuing any new changes in diet.

Video content above is prompted by the following:

This case study illustrates the critical decision-making process when managing severe pediatric atopic dermatitis that significantly affects a child’s quality of life and development. The 5-year-old patient presented with severe disease covering greater than 10% body surface area, experiencing 4 to 5 nighttime awakenings and demonstrating academic performance issues requiring parental intervention with school officials. The presence of comorbid conditions, including food allergies and mild asthma, further complicated the clinical picture, highlighting the interconnected nature of atopic diseases and the need for comprehensive treatment approaches.

The case demonstrates clear indicators for systemic therapy escalation, including disease severity, significant sleep disruption, and functional impairment affecting school performance. The patient’s additional allergic conditions, particularly asthma, influenced treatment selection toward dupilumab, which offers proven efficacy for both atopic dermatitis and asthma management. Findings from clinical studies demonstrate dupilumab’s effectiveness beginning as early as 2 to 4 weeks after initiation, with substantial improvements typically observed by 16 weeks and sustained benefits over 52 weeks, providing families with realistic expectations for treatment response.

Shared decision-making in pediatric atopic dermatitis requires careful balance between parental concerns and age-appropriate patient involvement. Health care providers must communicate in language accessible to both children and parents, ensuring all parties understand treatment options, expected outcomes, and safety considerations. The excellent safety profile of dupilumab in pediatric populations, with approval for patients as young as 6 months, provides reassurance for families considering biologic therapy. Successful treatment adherence strategies include addressing injection anxiety through techniques such as vibration tools, ice application, and positive reinforcement systems.

Video content above is prompted by the following:

Adult-onset atopic dermatitis presents unique diagnostic challenges, particularly in patients with darker skin tones where traditional clinical presentations may differ significantly from textbook descriptions. This 55-year-old African American patient’s case highlights the importance of maintaining a broad differential diagnosis when evaluating new-onset eczematous conditions in adults, including considerations for contact dermatitis, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, and drug-induced rashes. The patient’s history of occasional childhood rashes suggests possible long-standing disease that remained undiagnosed, emphasizing the need for improved disease recognition and earlier intervention.

Delayed diagnosis and treatment of atopic dermatitis disproportionately affect patients with skin of color, often resulting in more severe disease presentation and greater functional impairment by the time patients seek dermatologic care. In darker skin tones, the characteristic erythema of atopic dermatitis may present as hyperpigmentation or violaceous discoloration rather than bright red inflammation. Additionally, patients with skin of color may develop different disease variants, including more nodular, papular, or follicular presentations, which can complicate accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment selection.

Treatment planning for this patient required careful consideration of multiple comorbidities, including type 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and hypertension. Although these conditions do not represent absolute contraindications to any specific therapy, they influence treatment selection toward options with favorable safety profiles. The patient’s concerns about postinflammatory hyperpigmentation necessitated specific counseling about realistic expectations for improvement, as hyperpigmentation resolution can take months to years. Education about the relationship between inflammatory control and hyperpigmentation prevention becomes crucial for treatment adherence and patient satisfaction.

Studies suggest mindfulness meditation can improve cognition, but few researchers have examined whether virtual mindfulness meditation apps are effective. In a new eNeuro paper, Andy Kim et al., from the University of Southern California, assessed attention control in adults following about a month of mindfulness meditation guided by a mobile app. 

In participants of all ages, mindfulness improved attention control as measured by reliable eye movement tasks established to assess how quickly people orient their attention. A control group that listened to an audio book did not have this cognitive improvement. Notably, self-reported measures of cognitive ability, including attention and distractibility, suggest that participants were not aware of the cognitive improvement from meditation. 

According to the authors, they are among the first to measure cognitive improvements from mindfulness using a reliable eye task in addition to self-reporting surveys. Future work may probe whether longer-term mindfulness interventions strengthen the effects observed in this study. 

Right now, global funding for humanitarian aid is facing unprecedented cuts. In 2024 alone, there was a staggering $25 billion shortfall between the funds needed for United Nations appeals and the contributions received.

In a major setback to global humanitarian efforts, in early 2025 the U.S. State Department—once the world’s largest aid donor—terminated more than 10,000 foreign aid grants and contracts. This has had far-reaching consequences, including the disruption of many lifesaving vaccination programs.

These cuts come at a time when millions of children in conflict and crisis-affected areas already lack access to critical immunizations, remaining at risk simply because national health systems can’t reach them.

The funding crisis deepens 

Recent policy shifts have impacted vaccination funding around the world, including those led by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. 

Infectious disease outbreaks cost an estimated $60 billion per year globally. These outbreaks know no borders and can impact us all. In contrast, disease prevention through vaccination and routine immunization, particularly when delivered by frontline actors, have proven to be highly effective.

The impact of aid cuts on immunization

Of the 13 countries the IRC has identified as the most affected by global aid cuts, 10 rank among the bottom 20 globally for measles immunization rates, highlighting a critical gap in disease prevention. This issue is even more alarming as climate change continues to heighten the risks of infectious diseases, further compromising global health efforts.

Due to these funding cuts, 300 IRC-supported health facilities have closed or are at risk of closing. 

The IRC provides about 4.3 million services for communicable diseases around the world—1.7 of these services are delivered to children under 5. These services are essential for preventing and controlling outbreaks in vulnerable communities. Critical immunization programs in Burkina Faso, Nigeria, and Afghanistan are all facing the threat of closure.

A global health security threat

“Preparing for the next pandemic starts by investing where outbreaks begin,” says Dr. Mesfin Teklu Tessema, Senior Director of Health at the IRC. “Global health security is not a luxury. It is a strategic imperative—one that demands sustained, coordinated investment.”

Cutting vital immunization programs – as well as primary healthcare services- increases the risk of infectious disease outbreaks that could impact everyone. Without prevention and treatment efforts, diseases are more likely to spread unchecked, mutate and become harder to control.

With 21 million children around the world currently under-immunized, reaching these underserved communities is critical to preventing outbreaks that threaten both regional and global health security.

The IRC’s solution: Access to life-saving vaccines for children in missed communities

The IRC is committed to ensuring children receive a full schedule of life-saving vaccines, making immunization a cornerstone of its child health programs. In 2024 alone, over 700,000 children under the age of one were protected against vaccine-preventable diseases by receiving their third dose of the diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTP) vaccine. This vital protection allows these children to grow up healthier and free from the threat of preventable illnesses.

To expand access to essential healthcare, including immunizations, the IRC has implemented strategic initiatives designed to maximize the impact of its efforts. These programs focus on reaching children in some of the world’s most fragile and conflict-affected regions, ensuring even the most vulnerable populations can access the care they need. 

In 2022, the IRC launched the Reaching Every Child in Humanitarian Settings (REACH) project in partnership with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. The aim: leverage the IRC’s unique humanitarian expertise to ensure that even the hardest-to-reach children receive the full national schedule of vaccines. 

Using flexible methods like mobile clinics, local community teams, and mapping tools, our teams are able to reach people in places where the government health system can’t work properly because of conflict, danger, or climate-related problems.

Since its launch, the REACH consortium has enabled health workers to administer over 13 million vaccine doses to children across the Horn of Africa, with recent extension into Chad and Nigeria.

Reaching children at the last mile

Using flexible and evidence-based interventions enables us to reach more children with essential vaccines, while ensuring maximum impact per dollar spent. Training and supporting community health workers with local knowledge is central to this approach. In 2024, the IRC supported 15,800 community health workers to help ensure more children are protected by lifesaving vaccines.

In South Sudan, we worked with community health workers and local leaders to raise awareness about vaccines for diseases like polio, measles and diphtheria. Community health workers were also empowered to share community feedback with health officials and help combat misinformation. 

How can you support vital vaccine programs?

Now, more than ever, your support is urgently needed to help humanitarian organizations continue to deliver lifesaving services. 

The new era of reduced aid will bring difficult decisions. But by investing in IRC’s Primary Healthcare Programs that deliver immunization services that center proven interventions, empower local responders, and implement smart financing strategies, we can ensure that available resources have the maximum impact for those most in need.

With collective action, we can prevent this funding crisis from becoming an era of unprecedented suffering and instead set a path toward sustainable relief and long-term resilience for the world’s most vulnerable populations.

Donate: Financial contributions are key for trusted organizations like the IRC that prevent, treat and contain infectious diseases. Your donation can empower our work in the U.S. and more than 40 countries worldwide.

Get connected: Follow our Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Bluesky accounts.

Stay informed: Subscribe to IRC alerts to get the latest on our programming and learn more about how you can make a difference.

Our continued commitment to delivering vital health care

Every child deserves the right to health care and protection, regardless of crisis. But due to aid cuts, vulnerable children who are relying on humanitarian aid to survive, could be left with nothing. This is a matter of life or death.

With over 90 years of experience, the IRC knows how to push through tough times by focusing on what matters most—helping those in crisis, working hand-in-hand with communities and treating people with dignity. Our commitment to supporting the hardest-to-reach communities with lifesaving immunization will not waver.

*Names changed for privacy reasons.