Health officials around the world are warning travelers about a sharp increase in measles cases. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) is urging everyone to be fully vaccinated before traveling abroad, as many recent cases in Korea have been from travelers returning from other countries.

Globally, measles cases have surged, with the World Health Organization (WHO) reporting around 360,000 cases in 2024. This is largely because of a drop in vaccination rates, which were disrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic

What Should Travellers Be Aware Of?

According to the KDCA, many of these infections came from countries with ongoing measles outbreaks. The number of global measles cases jumped to about 360,000 in 2024, as vaccination efforts were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The countries linked to the most imported cases are:

• Vietnam
• South Africa
• Uzbekistan
• Thailand
• Italy
• Mongolia

For travelers heading to these regions, the KDCA strongly recommends getting both doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. This is especially important for adults who may have missed their second dose as children.

Countries That Have The Highest Measles Cases

According to a Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) report released on 15th August, there have been 10,139 confirmed cases and 18 deaths across ten countries, a 34-fold increase compared to the same period in 2024. The countries with the highest number of confirmed cases are:

• Canada (4,548 cases)
• Mexico (3,911 cases)
• United States (1,356 cases)

Cases have also been reported in Bolivia, Argentina, Belize, Brazil, Paraguay, Peru, and Costa Rica. Sadly, there have been deaths in Mexico (14), the U.S. (3), and Canada (1). In Mexico, most of the deaths happened in Indigenous communities, which have been severely affected. Canada also reported the tragic death of a newborn.

The outbreaks are being caused by two different types of the measles virus. One type is spreading quickly among Mennonite communities in eight countries. This shows how fast the virus can move through groups that are not vaccinated. While the outbreaks have mainly been in these communities, more and more cases are now being found in other groups of people as well..

Why Do You Need Measles Vaccine?

Measles is a very contagious illness that can spread easily through the air. While most people think of it as a childhood disease, it can cause serious problems like pneumonia or brain swelling. It's especially dangerous for young children, pregnant women, and people with weak immune systems.

The MMR vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and others. Officials strongly recommend getting both doses, especially if you plan to travel. The KDCA also advises anyone who develops a fever or rash within three weeks of returning to Korea to take immediate precautions: wear a mask, limit contact with others, and tell medical staff about your recent travel before seeking care.

What Steps Have The Countries With Measles Outbreak Taken?

According to PAHO,

• Measles is still spreading in several provinces of Canada, including Alberta and British Columbia.
• In Mexico, the government has launched a mass vaccination campaign in 14 high-priority areas, with a special focus on Indigenous communities in Chihuahua, where most of the country's cases are located.
• In United States, outbreaks have been reported in 41 states, mainly among under-vaccinated populations.
• Most cases of Bolivia are in the Santa Cruz area, affecting both the general population and Mennonite communities.
• Argentina and Belize have not reported any new cases since late June.

PAHO is working with these countries to boost vaccination rates and quickly respond to new outbreaks. While travel restrictions aren't recommended, travelers are advised to ensure they are vaccinated, including young children from 6 to 11 months old, who can get an early dose for protection.

Japan's flu season has arrived earlier than usual, as a result, this has marked the country's second-earliest start in two decades. As per the reports by Japan Times and South China Morning Post, the health authorities too confirmed that influenza cases have surpassed the one-per-hospital threshold across roughly 3,000 medical institution. This, as official signalled, level is what marked the flu season.

As per Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, an average of 1.04 flu patients were reported per hospital in the week beginning September 22, landing up to Sunday. On October 3, the Health Ministry declared an epidemic after 4,030 people were treated at designated medical institutions. The number show an increase from 957 cases, from the week before that.

Where Are The Cases Rising?

The highest infection rates so far have been seen in Okinawa, averaging nearly nine patients per institution, followed by Tokyo, Kagoshima, and Fukuoka. In contrast, regions such as Tottori and Akita have recorded very few cases. The health ministry has urged residents to take routine preventive steps, washing hands frequently, wearing masks in crowded places, and getting vaccinated.

Read: Japan Flu Outbreak: How Climate Change Has Resulted In The Early Arrival Of Viruses

Is There An Evolving Virus?

Health experts, as reported by South China Morning Post have said that the early wave may suggest that influenza viruses are now evolving. It also mean that they are spreading more easily.

“The flu season has started really early this year, but in the changing global environment, this might become a more common scenario,” said Yoko Tsukamoto, a professor at the Health Sciences University of Hokkaido, in an interview with the media outlet This Week in Asia.

Around 135 schools and childcare centres were temporarily closed in the week Japan treated over 4,000 patients.

What Can Work? Is There A Need To Worry?

Researchers suggest several reasons for this early and rapid spread. One major factor is increased global travel and tourism in the post-pandemic era, which allows viruses to move more freely between populations.

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“We are seeing a greater circulation of people, both in Japan and globally, with people taking the virus to new places,” Tsukamoto explained. This constant movement can expose viruses to new environments, and in turn, encourage them to adapt faster.

There is also emerging evidence that indicates that some influenza strains are developing resistance to conventional treatments, a trend that scientists say warrants close observation but not panic. For now, vaccination remains the most effective preventive measure. Tsukamoto noted that while influenza is rarely dangerous for healthy adults, it can pose risks for young children, older adults, and those with chronic illnesses, who should consider getting vaccinated early.

However, experts have pointed out to not worry and follow "common sense precautions". These include good hand hygiene, proper ventilation, mask-wearing in crowded places, and timely vaccination. “For people who are healthy, the flu should not be too dangerous, although it could be unpleasant,” said Tsukamoto.

Lizzo, American singer and rapper, has always been open about her body and now, her body transformation. In fact, she has openly credited part of her transformation to GLP-1 medication, when she was asked whether she had ever used Ozempic.

"I tried everything," she said in an interview with Trisha Paytas' "Just Trish" podcast.

What Was Lizzo's Weight-loss Journey Like?

Lizzo, 37, has been open about her body transformation, and has in fact shared her weight loss journey publicly to her fans via social media over the last couple of years. In January, she revealed that she had dropped 16% of body fat and lowered her body mass index or BMI by 10.5 since January 2023.

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Apart from weight loss drugs, she had also credited her transformation to changing her eating habits and exercising for weight loss.

On Paytas' podcast, Lizzo said, "It's just the science for me- calories in versus calories out. Ozempic works because you eat less food. That's it. It makes you feel full. If you can just do that on your own - mind over matter - it is the same thing."

Two years ago, Lizzo had begun her "intentional" journey to transform her body and in January she celebrated hitting her goal weight.

"I did it," she wrote on her Instagram. "Today when I stepped on my scale, I reached my weight release goal. I haven’t seen this number since 2014! Let this be a reminder you can do anything you put your mind to. Time for new goals!"

Lizzo also told Paytas that while she never felt that doors were closed for her when she was bigger, as she walked down the red carpet at the Met Gala. She felt like her life has improved over the last couple years where she spent on losing weight and achieving her weight goals.

Also Read: Lizzo Shares How GLP-1 Drugs And Changing Her Eating Habits Helped Her Achieve Her Weight Goals

“I feel like I worked really, really hard. It was intentional, what I did with my body. So when I get compliments, I’m like, ‘Thanks, b*tch!’ I really receive it because I need to receive that. I don’t take it any weird way,” she said. “I worked so hard for it. The people who compliment me see me working hard for it — they see me in my calorie [deficit], they see me exercising every day, walking.”

"I do think believe I look good. Everything in my life kind of elevated. It was not just releasing the weight. It was just where I was at in my life, my team. I do feel like I am the baddest. No matter what size, at this point in my life, I am on another level," she said.

What Else Worked Along With Her Weight Loss Journey?

Lizzo also talked about how changing eating habits really helped her. She also talked about some of her new eating habits during a TikTok live. She revealed that she starts with her day with something "super savory" and lets go the "sugary stuff".

She said, if it is something sweet, it has to be with some "sort of like carb. I will have like almond butter and toast."

She also once shared that she used to consume "two to three" large Starbucks drinks a day, which would mean that she drank around 12,000 calories daily. She said that she gave up drinking that after she realized how much calories she was consuming. She also said that giving up coffee also helped her to regulate her nervous system.

Finally, she also praised her skincare routine and Invisalign treatment to make her look her best.

World Thrombosis Day is a global healthcare awareness day, celebrated on October 13 of each year to increase awareness about thrombosis, including what causes it, the risk factors, indications, symptoms and new treatments.

World Thrombosis Day 2025 Theme

The theme for World Thrombosis Day 2025 is "From Head to Toe, Take Control: Prevent Thrombosis, Protect Your Health".

This theme emphasizes the full-body approach to preventing blood clots and highlights the links between thrombosis and chronic conditions like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. The campaign aims to empower individuals to take proactive steps for prevention.

World Thrombosis Day Origin

World Thrombosis Day was founded by the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) in 2014, to raise global awareness on this condition and its prevention. This day was also founded to aim to educate the public and the healthcare professionals about blood clots, reduce premature deaths and disability, and promote actions against thrombosis.

Importance of World Thrombosis Day 2025

Before we understand the importance of this day, we must understand what does thrombosis really mean.

What Is thrombosis?

Thromboembolism is a vascular disorder that occurs when a blood vessel becomes blocked by an embolus—a fragment that breaks away from a blood clot. The initial clot formation within a vessel is known as thrombosis. This can happen in veins or arteries, such as in deep vein thrombosis (venous) or coronary artery thrombosis (arterial).

Once a clot forms, it can slow or completely block blood flow and may even travel to vital organs, causing severe complications. Thrombosis is the preventable root cause behind three of the leading cardiovascular killers—venous thromboembolism (VTE), heart attacks, and thromboembolic strokes.

Blood clots can develop in people of any age, gender, or ethnicity, though certain health conditions and risk factors can increase their likelihood. Patients treated with anticoagulants for VTE face about 7.2 major bleeding events and 1.31 fatal bleeding events per 100 person-years, with a 13.4% fatality rate in major bleeding cases.

The annual incidence of venous thromboembolism—which includes deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE)—varies with age: around 1 in 100,000 among children, 1 in 10,000 in reproductive-age adults, 1 in 1,000 in middle age, and 1 in 100 among the elderly. Reported rates show pulmonary embolism affects 29–48 per 100,000 person-years, while deep vein thrombosis occurs in 45–117 per 100,000 person-years.

With one in four people worldwide dying from thrombosis or blood clots, World Thrombosis Day aims to raise awareness about this often-overlooked but urgent global health concern.

What Are Some of The Tips To Prevent Blood Clots or Thrombus?

• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Staying active by doing exercise & yoga
• Staying hydrated
• Quitting smoking
• Wearing compression stockings
• Taking breaks during travelling
• Limiting sodium intake