Canadian health authorities reported the country's first H5N1 case this month in a teenager who was suffering from severe illness in British Columbia.

Bird flu cases have increased in the US and it has turned into a serious threat. While avian influenza, or H5N1 is widespread in birds, it is rare to see this in humans. It only transmits to people in close contact with an infected animal. However, amid the bird flu outbreak, US has seen cases of humans being infected with the a same and this has raised alarms in Canada too.

Why is Canada concerned?

The main reason for concern is because earlier there have been no such cases of human-to-human transmission linked to bird flu, while in the US, the cases have gone up. Many experts believe that there are certain mutations in the viral sequence that makes the virus adapt to new circumstances and also infect a mammal.

However, experts also add that the mutation on the hemagglutinin - a glycoprotein that influences how the virus binds to host cells, is rarely seen on H5 viruses. The international community of medical health experts are concerned about the changes in the virus since it was unusual for bird flu viruses to infect human. This means, suggest experts that the virus is finding a way to better infect the individual.

Current global situation of Bird Flu

As per World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), there were 88 reported outbreaks of avian influenza in October 2024, and the number is ever-increasing. 1.7 million birds or poultry died or were culled in the same month.

In the US, the ongoing outbreak has spread across dairy cattle, with around 675 herds being infected in 15 states since March. There were around 55 human cases, mostly farmer, being reported, with one case reported in child in California. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that the child only had mild symptoms and that there was no evidence of person-to-person spread, however, the source has not been identified yet.

Whereas, the European Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) noted that the genotype circulating in the US is not seen in Europe.

However, the patterns have changed in Europe too, earlier bird flu was a seasonal phenomenon, happening only around the bird migration season, whereas now, it is an all year round phenomenon.

What Is Bird Flu?

Bird flu primarily infected farmworkers or those in close proximity to livestock. The first human bird flu case in the US was reported in 2022, to a person who was also involved in farm-working. While this flu is largely confined to birds in the wild and poultry, recent outbreaks have been reported in mammals too, including cattle.

Common Symptoms

Common symptoms include high temperature, chills, body pain, cough and cold, and difficulty in breathing. It is also common to experience gastronomical symptoms like diarrhoea, stomach pain, sickness, chest pain, and nose and gum bleeding.

Prevention

• Avoid contact with infected birds or with poultry altogether
• Practice good hygiene
• Cook poultry thoroughly
• Use protective gear
• Stay informed

Tuberculosis (TB) is a deadly global health crisis despite being a curable disease. In 2023 alone, TB killed about 1.25 million people globally — more than any other infectious pathogen. While the ability of months- or years-long courses of antibiotics to kill Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacteria that cause the disease, treatment success is not certain for all. In fact, in approximately 12% of patients, TB recurs even after treatment.

The major roadblock is that clinicians today lack a specific test to see if TB bacteria were completely removed from the body by treatment. Failing to have accurate monitoring mechanisms, doctors have to implement the same six-month treatment regimen in all patients and accept that some will be over-treated and some will be failures. However, all that may soon change, thanks of a breakthrough RNA-based TB detection test that Dr. Kayvan Zainabadi, assistant professor of molecular microbiology at Weill Cornell Medicine, and his India-based team are developing.

Modern TB treatment protocols are dependent on clinical experience and sputum-based diagnostic procedures that identify bacterial DNA. However, these procedures are fraught with limitations. Despite the successful treatment, residual bacterial DNA can continue to be present in the patient's system, resulting in false positives and making it difficult to clearly perceive the status of the disease.

This diagnostic imprecision compels physicians to remain with a "one-size-fits-all" six-month treatment regimen, even when evidence indicates that most patients might be cured earlier. Long-term exposure to highly effective antibiotics not only risks patients developing side effects but also places a heavy burden on healthcare systems, particularly in low-resource settings where TB is most prevalent.

Dr. Zainabadi’s research introduces a groundbreaking concept: using ribosomal RNA (rRNA) as a rapid, sensitive, and accurate marker of TB infection. Unlike DNA, RNA is inherently less stable and degrades quickly after bacterial death, minimizing the risk of false positives.

The innovation is aimed at the detection of the 16S rRNA of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which is a part essential to bacterial protein synthesis. Its prevalence in the cell makes it a prime target for detection even in small or difficult-to-access samples.

Significantly, this RNA-based method might overcome the sputum reliance that is sometimes tricky to obtain from high-risk populations such as children or HIV-infected individuals. Rather, less intrusive sample forms might be utilized, providing a more patient-centered, convenient, and scalable platform.

How Does It Work?

The RNA test operates by extracting 16S rRNA from patient samples and amplifying it using highly sensitive molecular methods. Since rRNA degrades quickly after bacterial cells die, detecting it gives real-time feedback regarding the presence of active TB infection — something DNA-based tests cannot consistently provide.

In practice, a sample would be taken from the patient (possibly from gastric fluid, blood, or other more readily accessible fluids) and run through the RNA detection system. If live bacteria are present, the 16S rRNA signature would show up in the test results, providing clinicians with an instant readout of disease activity.

The rapidity and precision of this methodology may significantly reduce diagnostic turnaround times from weeks or months to mere minutes or hours. This results in quicker clinical decisions, more targeted interventions, and substantial reductions in patient anxiety and healthcare expenditures.

Is It More Helpful Than Other Diagnostic Tests?

In comparison to conventional sputum microscopy and DNA-based molecular diagnostics, the RNA-based test has a number of revolutionary benefits.

First, its ability to target active infection — not just bacterial residue — prevents patients from being subjected to unnecessary or excessive treatment. This specificity is especially important in combating multidrug-resistant TB, where inappropriately using antibiotics exacerbates resistance problems.

Secondly, the fact that it can accept non-sputum samples makes it much more convenient. It is not possible for several children and immunocompromised individuals to produce sufficient sputum, and clinicians are left with the option of using invasive and less effective gastric lavage methods. An RNA-based test would equalize access to proper TB diagnosis among these high-risk populations.

Third, in the field of TB drug discovery, this test might be a game-changer. Rather than waiting two years to determine if a drug is effective, researchers would be able to monitor bacterial clearance in real-time, moving clinical trials forward more quickly and lowering costs.

Lastly, at a macro health systems level, a quick, precise, and less intrusive diagnostic device would be a game-changer for TB-endemic countries where resources are tightly constrained and the disease burden is highest.

The stakes are as high as they could possibly be. TB has continued to be a recalcitrant worldwide killer, too often fueled by diagnostic ambiguity and treatment inefficacy. An RNA-based diagnostic test such as the one Dr. Zainabadi and his colleagues are creating is not only an incremental step but a potential paradigm shift in how we combat the disease.

As the study continues, the expectation is that this new technology will not only revolutionize individual patient treatment but also redefine the public health sector in the global fight against tuberculosis.

With measles cases soaring to nearly 900 across the United States, public health officials are raising the alarm over what is rapidly becoming an escalating crisis. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported 884 cases in 29 states, a whopping threefold increase over all of 2024. With ten states now reporting active outbreaks, the urgent question remains- is prevention really the only cure?

The United States, in 2000 having declared measles eliminated, now confronts a sobering resurgence. Most of the cases currently, 646, are from Texas, where an outbreak based in West Texas continues to expand after almost three months. Some of the states that are struggling with ongoing outbreaks are Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee.

Unfortunately, two West Texas unvaccinated children and a New Mexico adult have died from measles complications. These deaths reinforce the outbreak's severity and the vulnerability of unvaccinated groups.

Adding to the worry, North America is not alone in this battle. Nearby nations report similar crises — Ontario, Canada, has recorded more than 1,020 cases, and Mexico's Chihuahua state has recorded 605 cases attributed to the Texas outbreak, reports the World Health Organization (WHO).

Why Is Measles Making a Comeback?

Measles is among the most infectious viruses, able to stay in the air and on surfaces for hours after a person infected with it coughs, sneezes, or even breathes. In an extremely immunized population, the disease cannot spread — an effect called "herd immunity." But when vaccination rates are low, vulnerability pockets form.

A number of factors are to blame for the outbreak:

Waning Vaccination Coverage: CDC reports a troubling trend. For the 2023–24 school year, vaccination coverage of kindergartners in the United States declined to 92.7% for the MMR vaccine from 93% in the last school year. Worryingly, vaccine exemptions reached 3.3%, a record high.

Regional Vulnerabilities: In the epicenter of the outbreak, Gaines County, Texas, MMR vaccination coverage has fallen to a mere 82%, well short of the 95% required to ensure herd immunity. Not surprisingly, children have borne the brunt: of 198 cases in the region, 153 were in people under the age of 18, the majority of whom were unvaccinated or whose vaccination status was unknown.

Global Trends and Misinformation: Globally, vaccine hesitancy, driven by misinformation, concern over side effects, and public health messaging distrust, is weakening immunization efforts. Discredited theory linking MMR vaccines to autism, though disproven, remains active, with special presence on social media outlets.

Though frequently confused as a harmless illness of childhood, measles can be fatal. Measles attacks the respiratory tract first and then the rest of the body, producing high fever, cough, nasal discharge, red, watery eyes, and a characteristic rash that initially appears on the face and travels downward.

Measles can have serious complications, including:

• Pneumonia: One of the main causes of death in measles.
• Blindness: Due to scarring of the cornea.
• Encephalitis: Fatal brain swelling that may result in permanent brain damage or death.

The CDC says the rash accompanied by fever may rise to more than 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Most healthy children will bounce back, but for at-risk groups — especially the unvaccinated — the virus can rapidly become deadly.

Why MMR Vaccine is The First Line of Defense?

CDC and WHO are in agreement: vaccination is still the best way to prevent measles. The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is most often given in two doses — the first dose between 12 and 15 months, and the second dose between 4 and 6 years. The vaccine is safe, works, and has decades of proven success.

For those worried about declining immunity, taking an extra dose is harmless. Those vaccinated prior to 1968 with an ineffective "killed" virus vaccine should have at least one additional dose.

Where vaccination coverage is over 95%, outbreaks are uncommon because the virus has few susceptible hosts. Widespread exemptions and misinformation have, however, resulted in severe immunity gaps, enabling measles to gain a foothold once again.

The increase in cases is not so much a matter of gaps in healthcare logistics. It is symptomatic of deeper loss of faith in science and public health organizations.

Experts refer to a range of factors promoting vaccine hesitancy:

Misinformation: Rumors about the side effects of vaccines, with a focus on unfounded speculations about an MMR-a Autism link.

Skepticism following COVID-19: Distrust generated by the pandemic has seeped over into routine vaccination.

Needle Phobia or Side Effects: Fear and misconceptions regarding ingredients or eventual outcomes of vaccines remain a concern among parents.

Similar trends globally are reflected in concerns. In the United Kingdom, for example, MMR vaccination coverage at age 5 decreased to their lowest levels since the 2010–11 periods, contributing to more than 2,900 cases of measles to date this year.

Is Prevention the Only Cure?

Plain and simple, yes. There is no antiviral therapy for measles. Supportive care — treating fever, maintaining hydration, and managing secondary infections — is all that can be provided once infection has been established.

In the absence of curative treatments, vaccination is not only the best weapon against measles — it is the sole weapon.

Public health experts stress that immediate action is imperative. Targeted public awareness campaigns, coordination with global agencies such as WHO and UNICEF, and combating vaccine misinformation directly are key strategies. Re-establishing trust and guaranteeing mass vaccination is the only long-term solution to forestalling future outbreaks.

The current upsurge in cases of measles all over the U.S. and globally is a chilling reminder: complacency can reverse decades of public health advances.

In a time of unparalleled access to medical information and resources, no child should ever die from a preventable illness like measles. The way forward is simple — revitalize immunization programs, fight misinformation, and advance community health through fact-based, science-driven advocacy.

Preventing measles isn't merely about saving individual lives — it is about protecting future generations.

As a part of World Immunization Week, which is observed from April 24 to 30, to promote the life-saving power of immunization, notes the World Health Organization (WHO), India has launched a week-long campaign to vaccinate 100% of children against measles and rubella. This is a move described as crucial to country's goal of eliminating the two viral diseases by 2026, noted Union Health Minister JP Nadda.

As per WHO, this week aims to promote the power of immunization to protect people of all ages against vaccine-preventable diseases. Vaccines are one of humanity's greatest achievements, notes WHO. Since 1974, they have saved 150 million lives.

As per India's aim, Nadda suggests that health workers must not only ensure complete vaccination overage, but also remain vigilant through robust disease surveillance. “Measles is very contagious. Even a single case must be treated as a warning signal. We have to cover immunity gaps and ensure no child is left behind,” he said.

As per WHO, India has reported 4,388 cases of measles and 527 cases of rubella so fat this year.

What Are Measles And Rubella?

Measles is a highly contagious viral infection marked by symptoms such as high fever, rash, cough, red eyes, muscle pain, and headache. Though often seen as a childhood illness, measles can lead to severe complications, including pneumonia, brain swelling (encephalitis), and even death, particularly in malnourished children and those with weakened immune systems.

Rubella, caused by a different virus, typically results in milder symptoms in children and adults. However, it poses a grave risk to pregnant women. Infection during pregnancy, particularly in the first trimester, can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, or congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) — a condition leading to serious birth defects like heart problems, deafness, and developmental delays. According to WHO, rubella control is essential for reducing infant mortality and morbidity.

History of Measles and Rubella Vaccination In India

India has a long battle with measles, which had accounted for a significant portion of global measle deaths. In order to tackle this, the country introduced measles vaccination in 1985, under the Universal Immunisation Programme. However, rubella vaccination lagged behind until the Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccination campaign was launched in 2017.

This massive drive aimed to immunize 410 million children between 9 months and 15 years of age, marking one of the largest vaccination campaigns in the world, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Post-campaign, the MR vaccine was incorporated into India’s routine immunization schedule, with two doses given between 9–12 months and 16–24 months of age.

Since measles and rubella are both highly contagious, health authorities say that achieving very high vaccination coverage — over 95% — is critical for creating herd immunity and stopping outbreaks.

Is India Close To Its Goal?

Health Ministry data shows promising progress: in 2024–25, 93.7% of children received the first MR vaccine dose, while 92.2% received the second. However, to achieve disease elimination, India needs to push these numbers above 95% consistently across all regions.

Highlighting the importance of full coverage, Nadda called upon public representatives to actively support the campaign and spread awareness, particularly in hard-to-reach areas.

Despite progress, India faced a significant measles outbreak in 2023. The country was among 57 globally that saw major outbreaks after routine immunization services were disrupted during the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2023 alone, India reported 68,794 cases of measles and 2,930 cases of rubella.

Responding to the surge, the government intensified supplementary immunization activities, targeting areas where outbreaks occurred. The impact is visible: measles cases dropped by 73% and rubella by 17% in 2024 compared to the previous year.

With sustained efforts, India is now on a strong path towards achieving measles and rubella elimination by 2026.

Note: The data is taken from World Health Organization and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.