Measles can be a disease of the past, but its recent resurgence is evidence to the contrary. 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.

The first measles case in a Chicagoan since 2019 has recently been confirmed, again emphasizing the persistent risk—particularly in populations with low levels of vaccination. Although the disease was all but eliminated from the United States after the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine became available in 1963, it is still occurring because there are missed opportunities in immunization coverage.

Extremely contagious and potentially fatal, measles is still a worldwide health issue. Although some who get the disease recover without incident, the fact is that measles can kill, especially in children, pregnant women, and people with compromised immune systems.

How Measles Spreads and Why It's Dangerous?

Measles is the most infectious viral illness known. It is transmitted by airborne respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing and can remain in the air for as long as two hours after an infected individual has vacated the area. This results in nine out of ten unimmunized individuals exposed to the virus becoming infected. The illness can also be imported into the U.S. by travelers arriving from areas where measles remains prevalent.

Severe Medical Complications of Measles

Although measles may appear to be a normal childhood disease to some, its complications can be serious and even life-threatening. Some of the most frequent problems are:

Pneumonia: The major killer in measles, especially among children.

Encephalitis: A serious inflammation of the brain that may result in permanent brain damage.

Severe dehydration: From chronic diarrhea and vomiting.

Compromised immune system: Measles has the effect of erasing immune memory, and thus the survivors remain exposed to other pathogens for several months.

More than half of measles-infected children in the region of Europe in 2023 were hospitalized according to the World Health Organization (WHO), showing just how critical the illness could be.

Who is at Most Risk During Measles Outbreak?

Infants under the age of five are especially susceptible to measles and its complications. Their immature immune systems predispose them to serious infection. An estimated 136,000 individuals worldwide die from measles each year, and most are children. Prior to mass vaccination, the yearly death rate was much higher, with an estimated 761,000 deaths in children in 2000.

Can You Get Measles During Pregnancy?

Pregnant women who get infected with measles are at risk of severe health complications. The virus poses the risk of:

Pneumonia: Occurs in approximately 18 out of 100 pregnant women infected with measles.

Maternal mortality: Four out of 100 pregnant women with measles die.

Premature delivery: In approximately 13 out of 100 measles-infected pregnancies.

Since pregnant women are not administered the MMR vaccine, it is important for people to vaccinate themselves long before getting pregnant.

Why Vaccination is the Best Defense Against Measles

Measles is a vaccine-preventable illness. The MMR vaccine is extremely effective, with long-lasting immunity:

• A single dose covers 95% of vaccinees.
• Two doses cover 99% of vaccinees.

With such strong protection rates, mass vaccination campaigns have significantly decreased deaths from measles. But reduced vaccination levels in some regions have resulted in renewed outbreaks of the disease. Parents avoid vaccinating their children because of misinformation regarding vaccine safety, but there is overwhelming research proving that the MMR vaccine is safe and effective.

Why Are Measles Outbreaks on the Rise?

Increased measles cases are the result of declining vaccination rates. The main reasons include:

Vaccine hesitancy: There is misinformation surrounding vaccines, causing parents to hesitate or refuse vaccination.

Travel and exposure: Travelers to places where there is an active outbreak bring measles into the U.S.

Weakened herd immunity: As vaccination rates decline, the virus becomes easier to spread, putting more at risk.

What to Do If Exposed to Measles

If you or your child have come into contact with someone who has measles, do the following immediately:

Check vaccination records: If you or your child are already vaccinated, the chances of getting infected are very low.

Get the vaccine if not immunized: The MMR vaccine may still offer some protection if administered within 72 hours of exposure.

Watch for symptoms: Symptoms occur 7-14 days after infection and are fever, cough, runny nose, and rash.

Stay home if infected: People with measles must remain home to avoid infecting others.

Can the Measles Vaccine Cause the Disease?

MMR vaccine includes a weakened virus that allows the body to become immune without actually causing measles. In healthy children, it does not lead to infection. But severe immune deficiencies may develop a condition similar to measles and should not receive the vaccine.

How Long Is Measles Contagious?

Individuals with measles can be contagious before they even notice they are ill. The period of contagiousness is from four days prior to the onset of the rash through four days afterwards. Since the virus remains present in the air for hours, even a short exposure is very risky for those who have not been immunized.

Is it Possible to Prevent Measles?

Mass vaccination is the most effective strategy for preventing the outbreak of measles. The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises:

• The initial vaccine dose of the MMR during infancy at age 12-15 months.
• A second one at age 4-6 years.
• One extra dose among high-risk subjects in case of an outbreak.

Infants under the age of one year, who are not yet vaccine-age-appropriate, are protected by herd immunity. This is why it is important that the rest of the community is vaccinated to avoid spreading to the entire community.

Measles is more than a rash and fever- it is a dangerous disease that can cause life-threatening complications. Although the U.S. has made great strides in preventing measles through vaccination, the recent surge in cases is a harsh reminder of the risks of vaccine hesitancy.

The England National Health Service (NHS) is the world's first healthcare system to offer a revolutionary blood cancer treatment called a "Trojan horse" drug. The trailblazing treatment, officially known as belantamab mafodotin, has the potential to add years to the lives of thousands of patients fighting multiple myeloma, a vicious and currently untreatable form of bone marrow cancer.

This innovation, now being rolled out to eligible patients throughout England, highlights the revolutionary promise of precision medicine and targeted treatments to change cancer care.

How Does This Therapy Work?

At the center of this medical innovation is belantamab mafodotin, also known as Blenrep and produced by GlaxoSmithKline. In contrast to traditional chemotherapy that gets into both healthy and cancer cells, this new medication uses a targeted approach: it binds to myeloma cells, enters them quietly, and delivers a fatal dose of chemotherapy directly within, effectively killing the malignancy from the inside out.

This "Trojan horse" metaphor comes from Greek mythology, as Greek warriors entered the city of Troy disguised within a wooden horse. In the same way, this drug corrupts cancer cells by smuggling a toxic payload into them disguised as an antibody—spared most healthy tissues in the process.

NHS England National Clinical Director for Cancer Professor Peter Johnson called the treatment "life-changing" and said, "Myeloma is an aggressive blood cancer, but the advent of belantamab mafodotin brings with it a new hope of highly extended disease control.

Multiple myeloma is a plasma cancer that arises in plasma cells present in the bone marrow. Although there are continued advances in medicine, the disease is still incurable and relapsing in nature. The majority of patients have a pattern of recurrence after remission, requiring multiple treatment lines.

Trials of belantamab mafodotin, particularly in combination with other drugs such as bortezomib and dexamethasone, have shown that the treatment can stop disease from progressing for a period of three years—three years longer than the 13-month postponement achieved with the drug of choice at present, daratumumab.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), having checked the effectiveness and value for money, accelerated approval for the rollout of the treatment. NICE director Helen Knight stated, "This recommendation shows our determination to get patients the best treatment quickly while protecting value for the taxpayer."

Who Will Benefit?

The NHS rollout will first address about 1,500 patients per year in England that have relapsed or are resistant to their existing treatments. These are often those with advanced myeloma who have run out of other standard treatments.

Significantly, this represents a move toward personalized, next-generation treatments being accessible through public healthcare facilities—an accomplishment welcomed by health activists and oncologists alike.

Shelagh McKinlay, Myeloma UK's Director of Research and Advocacy, hailed the announcement: "We have campaigned aggressively for the last year to get this drug approved. It will change the lives of thousands of myeloma patients."

Paul Silvester, who is 60 and from Sheffield, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2023. When ordinary treatment and even a bone marrow transplant did not halt the disease, he was put on an early-access trial for belantamab mafodotin at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital.

The change was almost instant," he explained. "In the first two or three weeks following the first dose, I was in remission. I like to think this treatment has brought the party balloons into the house."

Paul is now in remission and mapping out history-themed travel excursions—something he never thought he'd ever be able to do a few months ago.

How Does Belantamab Mafodotin Work?

Belantamab mafodotin is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), a new class of cancer drugs. The drug's antibody component targets a protein (BCMA) on the outside of myeloma cells. After binding to the cancer cell, the complex is taken into the cell where it drops off a potent chemotherapy drug, essentially killing it from within.

This internal targeting results in much less collateral damage to normal cells—a major problem with standard chemotherapy—and decreases the overall treatment burden.

Side Effects and Safety Issues

Although thought to be less toxic than many standard therapies, belantamab mafodotin is not without adverse effects. Patients can have dry eyes, blurred vision, and occasionally more severe ocular toxicity due to the mechanism of action of the drug leaking into surrounding tissues after cell kill.

Clinical teams are trained to monitor and manage these effects, often adjusting dosage or incorporating supportive therapies to preserve patient safety.

Health Minister Karin Smyth emphasized the significance of this development: “This groundbreaking therapy puts the NHS at the forefront of cancer innovation. By harnessing cutting-edge ‘Trojan horse’ technology, we’re offering new hope to blood cancer patients across the country.”

In fact, the move by the NHS to be the first healthcare system in the world to introduce this treatment establishes a precedent for the incorporation of high-cost, high-impact biologic therapies into national care.

With its effective implementation in England, belantamab mafodotin could soon be used as a worldwide standard of care for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. As other nations observe outcomes and cost-effectiveness trends, it is possible that health systems globally will look into implementing this Trojan horse technique.

Researchers in oncology are also looking at similar antibody-drug conjugates for other types of cancer, including breast, lung, and ovarian cancers—implying that we are just beginning to see what this technology has to give.

Dr. David Geier, a controversial orthopedic surgeon and known vaccine skeptic, is attempting to revisit long-debunked claims linking vaccines to autism. Recently hired by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Geier is now reviewing historical safety data to investigate whether government agencies concealed crucial information.

Accessing CDC's Vaccine Safety Database

Geier is reportedly seeking access to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD), a repository of vaccine safety records from millions of patients. The VSD is maintained by a dozen major healthcare systems, each controlling its own data. Full access has always been tightly controlled due to privacy and misuse concerns.

Geier previously accessed the database in 2004 and 2006. However, according to The Wall Street Journal, CDC officials revoked his access both times, alleging he had misrepresented his research intentions.

Despite this, Geier is once again pushing to analyze the data. It remains unclear if access has been granted. A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) stated that the department intends to take a “fresh look at all data including old data,” and emphasized that they would “follow the science—wherever it leads.”

Scientific Community Raises Concerns

The scientific and public health communities have expressed concern over Geier's involvement. “He has no record in the scientific community of doing valid work,” said Dr. Walter Orenstein, former director of the CDC’s immunization program.

Geier and his late father, geneticist Mark Geier, have long promoted the theory that vaccines cause autism—an idea widely discredited by the medical community. The pair also introduced a controversial treatment using hormone-blocking drugs, which resulted in the revocation of Mark Geier’s medical license and disciplinary actions against David Geier for practicing medicine without a license.

At a 2015 conference, Geier defended his position, claiming the scientific community dismisses their findings without proper consideration. “They think that [the vaccine's link to autism has] been completely debunked,” he said at the time.

Kennedy's Role and the Larger Context

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vocal critic of vaccine mandates, has clarified that Geier will not lead autism research. Instead, his focus will be on identifying any possibly overlooked or hidden data within the CDC’s database.

“There has been a lot of monkey business with the VSD,” Kennedy stated in a previous congressional appearance.

Kennedy, who once authored a now-retracted Rolling Stone article alleging a vaccine-autism cover-up, cited a 2000 CDC conference that explored preliminary data on thimerosal—a mercury-based preservative once used in vaccines. Though early findings prompted questions, later analysis confirmed no link between thimerosal and autism. Thimerosal was removed from most vaccines in 2001, and final results were published in 2003.

Exploring Autism Causes and Rising Rates

While Geier conducts his review, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is separately examining rising autism rates. The CDC now estimates that 1 in 31 eight-year-olds in the U.S. were diagnosed with autism in 2022. Experts attribute the increase to a combination of better diagnostic methods, genetic factors, and increased awareness.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) also plans to fund research into other possible causes, such as environmental toxins and diet. Meanwhile, Children's Health Defense, a nonprofit formerly led by Kennedy, is hosting an online event this week centered on what it calls the “autism cover-up.”

India is again facing a concerning but seemingly controlled increase in Covid-19 cases. As of June 13, 2025, the active case count of the country is 7,131, as per the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Although new daily cases increased by 33 and three more deaths were added—two in Maharashtra and one in Madhya Pradesh—the overall trend indicates a potential plateau and even a slight dip, which gives optimistic hopes.

The most recent state-by-state Covid-19 dashboard published by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare indicates remarkable regional variations in infection incidence in India. Kerala remains to have the highest burden, with 2,055 active cases, out of which 110 were new cases in one day. Gujarat is the second worst-affected state with 1,358 active cases, which saw a steep daily jump of 77 cases. Other majorly affected states are West Bengal, with 747 active cases; Delhi, with 714 cases; and Maharashtra, with 629 active infections. The Karnataka region showed a significant increase with 72 new cases, taking its active caseload to 395. On the other hand, there are no active Covid-19 cases in certain states like Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, and Manipur, hinting at effective containment measures. In spite of these diverse regional numbers, the overall national trend seems positively tentative. There were 1,420 new recoveries logged, elevating the total number of recovered or migrated persons to 10,976 for the year, which highlights India's resilience in its continuous Covid-19 response.

The increase is credited mainly to new Omicron sub-variants, such as JN.1, LF.7, NB.1.8.1, and XFG, which are highly contagious but produce milder symptoms than previous strains. These variants are now listed as "Variants Under Monitoring" by the World Health Organization (WHO). While not yet classified as variants of concern, they necessitate heightened vigilance, particularly among high-risk groups.

Experts advise against attributing these numbers to the onset of a full-blown wave. Rather, they refer to a seasonal surge, similar to the flu, which is consonant with the virus's post-pandemic shift towards an endemic pattern.

Why Are Booster Shots Not Recommended?

In light of India's high hybrid immunity from both vaccinations and past infections, health authorities as of now not recommending mass booster drives. Rather, targeted vaccination is being encouraged for:

• The elderly
• Immunocompromised hosts
• People with chronic respiratory or cardiovascular disease

The Indian Medical Association and health professionals emphasize that this risk-based, strategic strategy is more effective protection than mass immunization campaigns.

Even with the recent upsurge, health workers urge not panicking but remaining proactive. Distinguishing between Covid-19 and other common seasonal viral infections—often producing the same symptoms as fever, fatigue, and cough—is now of paramount importance.

Physicians and public health specialist, point out that exhaustion from sustained lookout can precipitate complacency. We can't ignore Covid-19 as a historical moment. It's very much still around—but controlled with the appropriate preventive measures.

Actionable Tips To Prevent COVID Infection

Nowadays, personal responsibility and daily routine are still your best protection. Here's how to protect yourself:

1. Wear a Mask in Crowded Indoor Spaces

Though mandates may have disappeared, masks are effective, especially in poorly ventilated spaces indoors, on public transportation, and in medical offices.

2. Get Current with Targeted Vaccines

If you are in a high-risk group, speak with your health care provider about boosters that are available or trials soon to be under way for new variant-specific vaccines.

3. Boost Your Immune System

Prioritize a balanced diet, proper sleep, and regular physical activity in order to maintain your immune system strong against not only Covid-19 but also other flu and seasonal diseases.

4. Practice Hygiene

Good hygiene habits such as regular handwashing, the use of sanitizers, and not touching your face while in public can significantly minimize the risk of transmission.

5. Stay Away from Crowds

If you are symptomatic—or have someone living with you who is—skip gatherings and go remote work whenever possible.

6. Identify Symptoms Early

Notice signs such as fever, chronic cough, body pain, fatigue, and taste/smell loss. Test early and self-isolate to avoid transmission.

7. Seek Medical Help

Particularly if above 60 years or with underlying conditions, don't wait even for minor symptoms. Early treatment can be life-saving.

The India Covid-19 situation is serious but under control. Yes, the active cases are more than 7,100, but the recovery rates are robust, and the fatalities are few and limited to the vulnerable groups.

Instead of fear, this time it requires a recommitment to public health practices—from mask-wearing when necessary to symptom-watching and protecting the vulnerable.

Key Figures at a Glance (as of June 13, 2025)

Total Active Cases: 7,131

New Cases in 24 Hours: 33

Total Deaths (2025): 78

Top States by Active Cases: Kerala (2055), Gujarat (1358), West Bengal (747), Delhi (714), Maharashtra (629)

Recovered in 2025: 10,976 and rising

Death IN Last 24 Hours: 1 (Kerala)