Measles has held “eliminated” status in the United States since 2000, a designation that means there had been no year-long, uncontrolled spread of the virus within the country for decades. But that milestone is now in jeopardy.

The infection is spreading again, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported 1,596 confirmed cases this year, the highest annual total in over thirty years. The actual number could be higher, says Dr. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Measles Case Surge In The US

Since August 2025, more than 100 people have been infected in the Utah–Arizona border region, forming the second-largest measles cluster in the U.S. this year. Most patients were unvaccinated, and the virus has now moved beyond small religious circles into the general population. This outbreak followed the earlier “Southwest wave,” which infected over 880 people in Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma, sending national measles numbers to a 34-year record high.

Experts warn that the current pattern resembles the major outbreaks seen in the early 1990s, before widespread vaccination programs curbed transmission. The largest outbreak occurred in West Texas, where 99 people were hospitalized and two unvaccinated school-age children died — the first measles deaths in the country since 2015. The Texas Department of State Health Services declared that outbreak over in mid-August. New Mexico has also reported a measles-related death, according to CNN. In response, the CDC has sent emergency teams to Utah, Arizona, Minnesota, and South Carolina to help limit the spread.

What Is Causing Measles to Increase in the U.S.?

In Mohave County, Arizona, vaccination coverage among kindergartners dropped from 91% in 2019–20 to 78% in 2024–25, with a similar decline noted in southwest Utah.

Public health experts stress that at least 95% vaccination coverage is necessary to prevent the virus from spreading. Both Utah and Arizona allow parents to exempt children from school vaccine mandates on personal or religious grounds, leaving pockets of unprotected populations.

According to The Times of India, vaccine hesitancy has deepened since the Covid-19 pandemic, fueled by political polarization and a decline in public trust toward health authorities. Notably, most of the affected towns voted heavily for Donald Trump in the 2024 election, underscoring how politics and misinformation continue to shape vaccination decisions.

Will the U.S. Lose Its Measles Elimination Status?

In November, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the regional arm of the World Health Organization (WHO) will hold its annual Measles and Rubella Elimination Regional Monitoring and Re-Verification Commission meeting to review each country’s elimination status.

The WHO defines a loss of elimination status as continuous transmission lasting longer than 12 months. While there are no direct penalties, re-establishing measles as an endemic disease would mark a major public health setback, leading to avoidable deaths and straining local healthcare systems.

Countries that lose their elimination status are required to submit a corrective action plan, typically involving intensive vaccination efforts, stronger surveillance, and faster outbreak responses.

Although President Donald Trump signed an executive order in January to withdraw the U.S. from the WHO, PAHO officials said they still expect representatives from the CDC and the National Sustainability Commission to attend next month’s meeting.

In August, local health authorities declared the end of the West Texas outbreak, which had caused 762 infections over seven months, according to state data. Neighboring New Mexico also reported 100 linked cases and one adult death, bringing the total fatalities from the outbreak to three which were two children in Texas and one adult in New Mexico, all unvaccinated.

Despite these containment efforts, new clusters continue to appear in Utah, Arizona, and South Carolina, and investigators are examining whether these are connected to the Texas outbreak. If transmission persists into January, the United States could officially lose the measles elimination status it earned in 2000.

The CDC calls the elimination of measles one of the country’s most significant public health achievements, made possible through a highly effective vaccination program and improved control efforts across the Americas. However, MMR vaccine coverage in both the U.S. and Canada has been steadily falling, with sharper declines noted after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Texas sues tylenol: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced on October 28 that he has filed a lawsuit against the makers of Tylenol, accusing them of failing to warn consumers about possible risks of using the drug during pregnancy. According to USA Today, the lawsuit targets Johnson & Johnson and its spin-off company Kenvue, alleging they concealed information about Tylenol’s potential links to autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), violating state consumer protection laws.

“These corporations lied for decades, knowingly endangering millions to fill their own pockets,” Paxton said in a statement. “When they saw accountability coming, Johnson & Johnson tried to dodge responsibility by offloading their liability to another company. By holding Big Pharma accountable for poisoning our people, we will help Make America Healthy Again.”

This marks the first lawsuit by a state government since President Donald Trump recently claimed that using Tylenol during pregnancy may raise the risk of autism — a claim that has limited scientific support.

Tylenol: Why Is Texas Suing Tylenol Makers?

Texas’s lawsuit, the first of its kind from any state, follows remarks made last month by President Trump and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who jointly issued new guidance discouraging pregnant women from using acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol. They cited it as a possible factor behind autism, sparking widespread concern and confusion among expecting mothers and healthcare experts alike.

The research surrounding Tylenol’s use in pregnancy remains unsettled. While a few studies have suggested a possible link between prenatal exposure and autism, many others have found no such connection. Major medical organizations have since pushed back against Trump and Kennedy’s statements, warning that the claims could spread unnecessary fear and misinformation.

This lawsuit is the first to formally adopt Trump’s theory that acetaminophen use in pregnancy might cause developmental disorders in children. The issue has long circulated among Kennedy’s followers, but Trump’s public comments brought it into mainstream discussion.

Texas Sues Tylenol: Tylenol Maker Fights Autism Warning Label

Kenvue has strongly defended Tylenol’s safety and dismissed Trump’s allegations, calling them misleading. Johnson & Johnson has also maintained that it has always acted responsibly in its product labeling, warning users only about the proven risk of liver damage from overuse.

In an official response, Kenvue stated that it was “deeply concerned by the spread of misinformation about the safety of acetaminophen and how it may affect women and children.” The company emphasized that acetaminophen remains “the safest pain relief option for pregnant women when needed throughout pregnancy.” Without it, they argued, women could face dangerous choices, either enduring untreated pain and fever, which may harm both mother and baby, or turning to more hazardous alternatives.

Over the past few years, hundreds of lawsuits have been filed nationwide by parents who believe their children developed autism or ADHD after prenatal Tylenol exposure. The largest group of such cases, consolidated in federal court in New York, was dismissed earlier this year due to insufficient scientific evidence. Plaintiffs have appealed the ruling, with an appellate hearing scheduled for November 17.

Texas Sues Tylenol: Is Acetaminophen Linked to Neurodevelopmental Disorders?

According to The New York Times, scientists have explored possible links between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and developmental disorders for years, but the research remains inconclusive.

Medical associations have rejected the Trump administration’s recent warning, reiterating that Tylenol is still considered the safest pain reliever for pregnant women. They warn that avoiding it altogether could be dangerous, as untreated high fevers and severe pain can pose serious health risks to both the mother and the unborn child.

President Donald Trump confirmed on Monday that he recently underwent an MRI at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center but chose not to explain the reason behind it. The statement marks the first time Trump, 79, has spoken about his second medical visit this year.

The October 10 appointment, described by the White House as a standard yearly exam, has stirred speculation since it came just six months after his last comprehensive physical. “I did. I got an MRI. It was perfect,” Trump told reporters on his flight to Tokyo. When asked for more information, he declined to say more, saying journalists should “ask the doctors.” This has left many wondering if there is more to the story behind his current health condition.

Is The White House Hiding The Truth About Donald Trump’s Health?

The White House has declined to clarify when Trump last took a cognitive test, as his most recent medical summary does not mention one. Officials have also refused to provide any additional information about the MRI that Trump said he underwent earlier this month. His admission has renewed speculation about the 79-year-old president’s health.

While Trump maintains that he is in “excellent shape,” the timing and secrecy surrounding the MRI have raised eyebrows. MRI scans are often used to detect issues such as strokes, brain abnormalities, or tumors. “I got an MRI. It was perfect,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One, but no further explanation has been provided.

White House Report Did Not Mention Trump’s MRI

Despite Trump’s assurance that his doctors had released a “very conclusive” report, the official White House summary did not specify why he made a second visit to Walter Reed within the same year. Traditionally, presidents undergo one full medical examination annually.

According to CNN, White House physician Dr. Sean Barbabella’s report only noted that Trump had “advanced imaging,” a term that could refer to CT scans or other procedures. There was no mention of an MRI or any details about its purpose or findings.

Another missing detail was any reference to a cognitive assessment, which had been included in Trump’s first examination earlier this year. Following his April check-up, Dr. Barbabella’s report had spanned three pages, covering Trump’s lab work, prescribed medication, vital signs, and overall physical condition.

Donald Trump’s Medical Tests

During the April examination, Trump’s doctor confirmed that the president had taken the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), a 30-point test that screens for memory and attention issues. The report at the time noted, “A comprehensive neurological exam revealed no abnormalities in mental status, cranial nerves, motor and sensory function, reflexes, gait, or balance.” It added that Trump scored a perfect 30 out of 30 on the MoCA, showing no signs of cognitive decline.

By contrast, Trump’s latest medical update, released after his October visit, was a brief five-paragraph note with no mention of any cognitive evaluation. When reporters asked if the president had taken one, the White House did not respond.

Trump did, however, bring up cognitive tests during a speech on Monday, mocking Democratic congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Jasmine Crockett as “low IQ” individuals who “wouldn’t do well” on such exams. Yet he stopped short of revealing when he last took the test or what his latest score might have been.

So, Is the White House Really Hiding the Truth About President Donald Trump’s Health?

Trump’s second visit to Walter Reed in six months, along with visible bruising on his hands and swelling in his ankles, has added to speculation about his condition. His acknowledgment of an MRI, which is absent from the official White House report has only intensified public curiosity. The lack of transparency surrounding the test and not mentioning details in the official statement have led many to question whether the White House is concealing information about the president’s health.

India's healthcare leaders gathered on October 4, 2025 at Taj Palace, New Delhi for the Times Network India Health Summit 2025. The aim of the summit was to recognize healthcare as a strategic pillar for nation's growth, public welfare and economic stability. With the country positioning itself as a global healthcare hub, the current Modi government is also pushing reforms which are aimed at creating a strong healthcare system. In the backdrop of the same, the Times Network India Health Summit 2025 also held an awards ceremony, that celebrated the remarkable advancements and contributions made by healthcare organizations and professionals across the country.

As the Strategic Alliance Partner, OneXtel Communication Media helped expand the summit’s reach and impact within the healthcare community.

The awards were given across various field in India's healthcare, as followed:

1. Dr. Abel George (Apollo Adlux Hospital) was awarded for Health Care Icon of the Year
2. Apollo Adlux Hospital was awarded for Excellence in Cardiac Sciences
3. Dr. Praveen Gupta (Marengo Asia Hospitals) was awarded for Service Excellence in Neurosciences and Mental Health
4. Radiant Dental Care – Excellence in Dental Care was awarded for Clinic of the Year 2025
5. Dr. Gaurav Garg (Dermalife Clinic) was awarded for Hair Transplant Surgeon of the Year
6. Strand Life Sciences was awarded for Innovation in Genomics Diagnostics & Wellness
7. Satya Skin & Hair Solutions was awarded for Excellence in Advanced Hair Transplant Techniques & Results
8. Centre for Sight – Group of Eye Hospitals was awarded for Excellence in Comprehensive Eye Care Services
9. Ferty9 Fertility Center was awarded for Excellence in Fertility Treatments – South India
10. DHI Medical Group was awarded for Excellence in Hair Transplant and Restoration
11. Dr. Hemant Sharma (Marengo Asia Hospitals) was awarded for Service Excellence in Robotic Orthopaedics Surgery & Joint Replacement
12. Meitra Hospital was awarded for Healthcare Innovator of the Year
13. Mr. Manish Thakker (Easy Care Global) was awarded for Excellence in Home Medical Devices
14. Mr. Rishabh Gupta (ShardaCare - Healthcity) was awarded for Young Visionary in Healthcare
15. Mr. Vineet Aggarwal, GCOO (Paras Health) was awarded for Transformational Healthcare Leader
16. Eugenix Hair Sciences was awarded for Innovation in Hairline Design & Aesthetic Craftsmanship
17. Oncquest Laboratories was awarded for Innovation and Excellence in Oncology Precision Genomics and Dementia Diagnostics
18. Dr. Rajashri Tayshete Bhasale was awarded for Excellence in Gynaecology & Laparoscopy Surgery
19. Dr. Neeraj Kumar was awarded for Service Excellence in Paediatrics
20. Dr. Neha Gupta was awarded for Excellence Work in the Field of In-Vitro Fertilisation
21. Dr. Suraj Hanumant Chavan was awarded for Excellence Work in the Field of Interventional Cardiology
22. Dr. Sushant Kumar Pathak was awarded for Excellence Work in the Field of Interventional Cardiology
23. Dr. Gagandeep Singh Sachdeva was awarded for Excellence in Robotics Knee Replacement Surgery in Punjab
24. Dr. Anurag Aggarwal was awarded for Excellence in Robotics Knee Replacement Surgery in Haryana
25. Dr. Atul Mishra was awarded for Excellence in Robotics Knee Replacement Surgery in Uttar Pradesh
26. Sri Lalithamigai was awarded for New Generation Medical Institution of the Year
27. ACS Medical College was awarded for Distinguished Contribution to Healthcare & Medical Training
28. Prakash Group of Hospitals (Prakash Hospital) was awarded for Excellence in Quality Care
29. Dr. Mona Dahiya was awarded for Excellence in IVF & Fertility
30. Matrix Dental and Skin Lounge was awarded for Excellence in Multispeciality Dental and Skin Clinic Delhi-NCR
31. Masina Hospital Trust, Mumbai was awarded for Excellence in Multi-Speciality Healthcare Leadership
32. MarkEn HealthTech Limited was awarded for Excellence in Healthcare Innovation & Technology

The summit hosted over 30 expert speakers, 300 delegates, and conducted eight focused knowledge sessions. Attendees also discussed on shaping global healthcare standards, achieving health equity, enhancing accessibility, advancing medical education, research, and driving innovation through technology.