The current measles outbreak has gripped US states like Texas and New Mexico leaving people worried whether it would become a new pandemic. According to the Texas Department of State Health Services as of February 21, 90 cases were diagnosed in the last month in the South Plains area, with at least 77 of them were reported in children and teens under 17.

Measles is highly contagious and can be deadly. 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.

Misinformation surrounding vaccines and with the new Trump administration anti-vaccine campaigs, has causing parents to hesitate or refuse vaccination.

Furthermore, the country down under Australia is also witnessing a surge in measles cases as health officials in Sydney have issued an urgent alert, urging residents to watch for measles symptoms after an infected individual visited several places in Sydney over the last seven days.

Authorities report that the traveller had returned from South East Asia where there are ongoing outbreaks of measles.

What Are The Symptoms Measles?

Key symptoms of measles include fever, a runny nose, sore eyes, and a cough. Typically, a red, blotchy rash appears three to four days later, spreading from the head down to the body. Symptoms can manifest between 7 and 18 days after exposure.

Anyone who experiences these symptoms after potential exposure should immediately contact their doctor or emergency department. It is crucial to call ahead before visiting to avoid potentially exposing others in the waiting room. Dr. Selvey also highlighted that ongoing measles outbreaks are occurring in various parts of the world, making awareness and prompt action essential.

Why It Is Important To Get Vaccinated?

According to CDC everyone should get the MMR vaccine. It protects you from measles, mumps, and rubella. Getting vaccinated helps stop these diseases from spreading. There are two safe MMR vaccines available. They work the same way, so it doesn't matter which one you get. Kids can also get a shot that protects against chickenpox too, but this is only for children.

Who Should Get Vaccinated?

Kids Need Two Shots

All children should get two MMR shots. The first shot should be given when they are between 12 and 15 months old. The second shot should be given when they are between 4 and 6 years old. If needed, the second shot can be given earlier, but it must be at least 28 days after the first shot.

College Students Need to Be Protected

Students going to college or other schools after high school, need two shots if they are not already immune. The shots must be at least 28 days apart.

Adults Need at Least One Shot

Most adults need at least one MMR shot. Some adults need two shots, especially those who work in healthcare, travel a lot, or go to college. These people should get two shots, with 28 days between them.

Travelers Need to Be Extra Careful

Anyone traveling to other countries should make sure they are protected. Babies 6 to 11 months old should get one shot before traveling. Kids 12 months and older, teens, and adults need two shots, with 28 days between them.

Healthcare Workers Must Be Immune

People who work in healthcare should have proof that they are immune to measles, mumps, and rubella. If they are not immune, they need two MMR shots, spaced 28 days apart.

Women Thinking About Having Babies

Women who might get pregnant should talk to their doctor about the MMR vaccine. It's safe to get the shot while breastfeeding.

As Covid-19 vaccination campaigns reached billions worldwide, so too did widespread public fear of infrequent but highly publicized cases of sudden death after vaccination. Over the past few months, the fear has sparked a spate of conjecture and disinformation, particularly on social media. On Wednesday, the Government of India's Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) released a statement of the utmost certainty: there is no causative association between Covid-19 vaccines and sudden death in adults. This finding, based on wide-ranging research conducted by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), is a watershed event for public health worldwide.

The MoHFW stands on the basis of two large, methodologically sound studies. The first, by ICMR's National Institute of Epidemiology, was a multicentric case–control study carried out over 47 Indian hospitals between May and August 2023. The second, a prospective study currently being conducted by AIIMS in association with ICMR, is investigating causes of sudden unexpected deaths among young adults.

What Prompted the Investigation?

In the past year, increased media coverage and public anxiety about sudden, unexpected deaths, especially among those aged 18–45, fueled a spate of misinformation that some tried to attribute to Covid-19 vaccination. In response, the Indian government launched extensive investigations in various institutions to give a data-based analysis of these incidents.

The health ministry emphasized that some of the national agencies, such as ICMR, AIIMS, and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), carried out systematic studies to investigate the underlying reasons behind sudden deaths among adults. The objective was to conclude with certainty whether or not there exists any relation between the said deaths and earlier Covid-19 vaccinations.

A multicentre matched case–control study, "Factors associated with unexplained sudden deaths among adults aged 18–45 years in India", was carried out by ICMR's National Institute of Epidemiology during May-August 2023. This study covered 47 hospitals and aimed at determining the potential correlation between Covid-19 vaccination and unexplained deaths in young adults.

The verdict was clear: no heightened risk of sudden death from Covid-19 vaccines.

At the same time, AIIMS is carrying out a long-term prospective study named "Establishing the cause in sudden unexplained deaths in young," which is funded and supported by ICMR. The preliminary results support ICMR's findings. The top causes of sudden death remain:

• Myocardial infarction (heart attack)
• Genetic predispositions (inherited heart rhythm disorders)
• Lifestyle issues, including alcohol misuse, drug abuse, smoking, and overexertion
• Post-Covid complications like cardiac inflammation or clotting abnormalities

Interestingly, scientists noted that the cause patterns have continued to follow trends similar to those observed in history. That is, the rates of sudden deaths in young adults have not presented any significant upward leap or shift that would be traceable to the Covid-19 vaccination campaign.

Debunking Misinformation

The health ministry’s statement comes amid a surge of unfounded claims linking Covid-19 vaccines to heart attacks and sudden deaths. “Scientific experts have reiterated that statements linking Covid vaccination to sudden deaths are false and misleading, and are not supported by scientific consensus,” the ministry said. Such speculation, they warn, can erode public trust in vaccines and fuel hesitancy, potentially reversing the hard-won gains of global immunization campaigns.

Union Minister of Health Mansukh Mandaviya highlighted the role of evidence-based decision-making: "The ICMR report yielded strong evidence discrediting insinuations that the vaccines were behind heart attacks or sudden death. Decisions have to be made on scientific studies and facts, not on misinformation."

Vaccines Remain Safe and Essential

The Health Ministry reaffirmed that Covid-19 vaccines given in India are safe and effective, and cases of serious adverse events are very rare. The statement highlighted that the vaccines cannot be blamed for sudden death, particularly without scientific evidence.

The ministry claims that disinformation campaigns attributing vaccines to deaths can be harmful. "Scientific experts have reaffirmed that claims associating Covid vaccination with sudden death are untrue and misleading," the official release said. "Speculative reports in the absence of conclusive evidence may undermine public trust in vaccines, which have saved millions of lives."

What Is Sudden Death?

Sudden death is a sudden and rapid cardiac arrest in people who typically are otherwise healthy. Since it happens unexpectedly, there is generally no way to prevent or even anticipate it. Without prompt emergency medical treatment, sudden cardiac arrest invariably leads to fatality.

Identifying Symptoms of Sudden Death

Sudden death normally happens without warning symptoms. In certain situations, though, there are a few warning signs that flash very briefly, such as:

• Near-fainting or dizziness
• Sudden loss of consciousness
• No response to outside stimuli
• Stoppage of breathing
• Skin becomes a bluish or purplish color
• Early detection and emergency treatment are essential, as time is of the essence.

What Causes Sudden Death?

The most common reason for sudden cardiac death is ventricular fibrillation—a life-threatening heart rhythm disorder (arrhythmia) that causes the heart to lose its ability to pump blood effectively. When the heart fails to provide a normal rhythm, blood flow to the body's vital organs, including the brain, is interrupted, rapidly becoming fatal.

Underlying Heart Conditions Associated with Sudden Death

Certain underlying diseases of the heart may predispose a person to sudden cardiac arrest:

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: A genetic condition characterized by the thickening of the heart muscle, typically the left ventricle. It is the leading cause of sudden death in adults under age 50.

Dilated Cardiomyopathy: Characterized by enlargement and reduced pumping function of the left ventricle. Although most cases are not clearly caused by a specific disease, viral infections are sometimes responsible.

Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia: A genetic disorder in which heart muscle cells are progressively replaced with fatty tissue, primarily found in adults younger than 40.

Brugada Syndrome: An inherited disorder that results in potentially fatal attacks of rapid, irregular heart rhythms (ventricular tachycardia), causing fainting or sudden death.

Long QT Syndrome: A disorder characterized by structural abnormalities in the heart's sodium and potassium channels, causing erratic heart rhythms.

Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia: An inherited condition in which the heart is unusually sensitive to adrenaline, making it more likely to develop potentially fatal arrhythmias.

A 2022 study published in journal Frontiers in Medicine notes that there are about 10 to 23% of adults worldwide who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Another 2021 study that delves into the epidemiology of IBS and other bowel disorders of gut-brain interaction accounts for the global distribution of IBS by country in 26 countries that showed a high rate of consistency in prevalence rates. Among them was also the United States. Reflecting on the same data, a latest study published in the journal Neurogastroenterology & Motility notes that rates of IBS have nearly doubled among the US adults. It rose from 6% in May 2020 to about 11% in May 2022.

In the news release, the lead researcher Dr Christopher Almario, a gastroenterologist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles said, "Rates of digestive issues such as irritable bowel syndrome and chronic idiopathic constipation rose significantly."

“These findings underscore the significant toll the pandemic has taken on digestive health,” Almario added.

What Does The COVID-19 Pandemic Have To Do With IBS?

“These disorders involve chronic gastrointestinal symptoms that are often triggered or worsened by psychological stress,” Almario said.

It is no news that mental stress in fact increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. A report by the World Health Organization (WHO) indicated a 25% rise in the global prevalence of anxiety and depression in the first year of the pandemic. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) also notes that the pandemic's impact extended to vulnerable populations like adolescents, with increased suicidal ideation linked to infection fears.

Researchers also suggest that the rise in gut health disorders during the pandemic may be linked to both the impact of COVID-19 on the digestive system and the psychological stress caused by social distancing, isolation, and fear of infection.

Another study published in May 2020 in the United European Gastroenterology Journal noted that digestive diseases were amongst the most prevalent health conditions in Europe, as the study's area was focused in that very continent. The study noted: "OVID-19 has various implications on digestive health, as digestive symptoms such as nausea, diarrhoea and cramps occur in COVID-19 positive patients, in some cases, prior to respiratory symptoms. Moreover, people with chronic digestive conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), digestive cancers, liver diseases or immunosuppressed liver transplanted patients, could be particularly vulnerable."

The study also noted that COVID-19 has demonstrated notable effects on digestive health. Studies indicate that the virus can impact the gastrointestinal tract and liver, with symptoms such as nausea, diarrhoea, and abdominal cramps. Elevated liver enzymes have been reported in up to 30% of patients.

Viral RNA has been detected in stool samples from 48.1% of patients, including those who tested negative via respiratory swabs. Digestive symptoms were present in 17.6% of cases, with incidence ranging between 5% and 50%. In some patients, gastrointestinal symptoms appeared before respiratory signs and were associated with more severe outcomes. Detection of the virus in stool suggests possible fecal-oral transmission, even from asymptomatic individuals.

Another 2021 study published in the journal Medicine Pharmacy Reports noted, "SARS-CoV-2 can affect major organs including the digestive system." The study reviewed other studies which have been conducted in UK, Wuhan, Hong-Kong, and America and have confirmed that while most common symptoms are fever, cough, and shortness of breath, other symptoms were also nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.

How Was The Study Conducted?

Researchers analyzed data from over 160,000 U.S. adults who took part in a national online survey conducted between May 2020 and May 2022. The survey collected information on digestive symptoms, mental health status, and lifestyle changes during the pandemic period.

Among participants diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), the most commonly reported subtype was mixed IBS, characterized by alternating episodes of both diarrhea and constipation.

“This research calls for a renewed focus on gastrointestinal health in the post-pandemic era,” senior researcher Dr. Brennan Spiegel, director of health services research for Cedars-Sinai, said in a news release.

What Are The Common Symptoms And Treatments Available For IBS?

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, US, notes the following as the symptoms of IBS:

• bloating
• the feeling that you haven’t finished a bowel movement
• whitish mucus in your stool
• diarrhea
• constipation
• women on their period will have more symptoms

IBS is typically treated through dietary and lifestyle changes, which are as followed:

• eat more fiber
• avoid gluten
• follow a special eating plan called the low FODMAP diet
• increasing your physical activity
• reducing stressful life situations as much as possible
• getting enough sleep

In a comprehensive study spanning more than five decades, researchers have found that overall deaths due to heart disease in the United States have significantly declined since 1970.

However, the study also points to a concerning rise in mortality from specific non-ischemic heart conditions such as heart failure, hypertensive heart disease, and arrhythmias.

Published online on June 25 in the Journal of the American Heart Association, the research highlights both the gains made in managing ischemic heart disease and the urgent need to address other forms of cardiovascular illness.

66% Drop in Overall Heart Disease Mortality

The study, led by Dr. Sara J. King of Stanford University School of Medicine, analyzed data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) National Vital Statistics System. It focused on U.S. adults aged 25 and older, tracking age-adjusted heart disease mortality rates from 1970 through 2022.

The findings are significant: overall heart disease mortality dropped by 66 percent—from 761 deaths per 100,000 people in 1970 to 258 per 100,000 in 2022. This decline is largely attributed to advances in the treatment and prevention of ischemic heart disease, especially acute myocardial infarctions, commonly known as heart attacks.

The proportion of heart disease deaths attributed to ischemic heart disease also declined sharply. In 1970, ischemic conditions accounted for 91 percent of all heart disease deaths. By 2022, that number had dropped to 53 percent.

Sharp Decline in Heart Attack-Related Deaths

One of the most notable findings was the 89 percent decline in deaths due to acute myocardial infarction.

Mortality from all ischemic heart diseases decreased by 81 percent. These improvements have been credited to better public awareness, improved emergency response systems, lifestyle changes, and the development of more effective medications and medical procedures.

“This evolution over the past 50 years reflects incredible successes in the way heart attacks and other types of ischemic heart disease are managed,” said Dr. King in a statement released with the study.

Rise in Non-Ischemic Heart Conditions

However, not all trends pointed in a positive direction. The same period saw a significant increase—81 percent—in mortality from non-ischemic forms of heart disease. Most notably, the death rate from arrhythmias rose by 450 percent, while hypertensive heart disease and heart failure saw increases of 106 and 146 percent, respectively.

These figures suggest that while the fight against ischemic heart disease has made great strides, the growing burden of other cardiac conditions may require new strategies and interventions.

“The substantial increase in deaths from other types of heart conditions, including heart failure and arrhythmias, poses emerging challenges the medical community must address,” said Dr. King.

Note: The authors of the study acknowledged financial ties to the pharmaceutical industry, a standard disclosure in research of this nature.