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Measles Outbreak in Disneyland: Health officials in Orange County sounded alarmed after they confirmed a recent measles case in a child who visited Disneyland last week. The Orange County Health Care Agency said on Saturday that the child was an international traveler who arrived at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The child then went to Disneyland on Wednesday and that is what became the potential exposure window.
As per the health authorities there could be two possibilities of getting the disease:
Health authorities said they are coordinating with Disneyland to contact employees who may have been exposed to measles. According to Orange County health officials, visitors present at the theme park during the identified period could develop symptoms between seven and 21 days after exposure.
Dr Danielle Curitore, a pediatrician at St Joseph Heritage Providence, explained NBC Los Angeles that measles is highly contagious and spreads through respiratory droplets.
“Very similar to these respiratory viruses, but even more so because it can be in a close setting and if that person with measles sneezes or coughs and transmits some respiratory droplets, you are exposed,” she said. “And that room that they’ve been in is also contagious for at least two hours after they left.”
Doctors emphasize that individuals who have received the measles vaccine, particularly the recommended two doses, are generally well protected against the disease. Those who have not been vaccinated face a significantly higher risk of infection.
Read: Measles Elimination Status In The US Is ‘Not Really’ At Risk, CDC Says As Cases Surge
“Your best protection is to be vaccinated, so if you’ve been vaccinated against measles and you’ve received your two doses of measles vaccine at any point, those are usually given in childhood but you do continue to be immune as you get older,” Dr Curitore added.
Health officials have confirmed at least five new measles cases in Southern California, prompting renewed warnings and surveillance. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation to limit further spread and identify potential exposure chains.
Measles, also known as rubeola, is an extremely contagious viral illness that typically causes high fever, cough, runny nose, red and watery eyes, and a characteristic rash that begins on the face and spreads downward across the body. It spreads through respiratory droplets and can lead to severe and sometimes fatal complications, including pneumonia and inflammation of the brain known as encephalitis.
Although it is preventable through the safe and effective MMR vaccine, measles remains a serious threat in many regions. There is no specific cure, and treatment focuses on managing symptoms, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Experts say measles symptoms often begin with signs similar to a common cold, including cough, congestion, and high fever. Some patients may also develop conjunctivitis.
“Sometimes it just starts out like the common cold cough congestion: high fever sometimes conjunctivitis can be part of it,” Dr Curitore said. “Then day three to five, you get that very classic measles rash, which usually starts on the face, center of the body.”
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Nipah virus outbreak in India triggered airport screenings of travelers, including in Myanmar. Many reports claim that passengers are being checked in similar ways as they were during the COVID-19 virus spread. Health and Me reported how in Thailand the health screenings of foreign travelers were taken seriously, a similar case is seen in Myanmar.
Myanmar has tightened its health screenings and surveillance at Yangon International Airport to prevent any possible entry of Nipah virus case, reported The Global New Light of Myanmar. Travelers who are arriving from India, especially West Bengal are given special attention to check for any fever or other Nipah-related symptoms, read the report by the Ministry of Health.
The ministry also noted that health screening of passengers arriving from abroad is being conducted in line with the established guidelines for infectious diseases that could give rise to public health emergencies, Xinhua news agency reported.
Informational leaflets too are being distributed among travelers to be aware of the symptoms. Posters are also displayed at the airport. Along with all that, disease prevention and control measures are also being carried out in the airport.
Screening measures are also enhanced and implemented at Mandalay International Airport.
As per the World Health Organization (WHO), Nipah virus infection is a zoonotic illness that is transmitted to people from animals, and can also be transmitted through contaminated food or directly from person to person.
In infected people, it causes a range of illnesses from asymptomatic (subclinical) infection to acute respiratory illness and fatal encephalitis. The virus can also cause severe disease in animals such as pigs, resulting in significant economic losses for farmers.
Although Nipah virus has caused only a few known outbreaks in Asia, it infects a wide range of animals and causes severe disease and death in people.
Nipah virus is infectious and can spread from animals like bats and pigs to humans through bodily fluids or contaminated food. It can also pass between people through close contact, especially in caregiving settings. While it can spread via respiratory droplets in enclosed spaces, it is not considered highly airborne and usually requires close, prolonged contact for transmission. Common routes include direct exposure to infected animals or their fluids, consuming contaminated fruits or date palm sap, and contact with bodily fluids such as saliva, urine, or blood from an infected person.
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Cancer is not just a medical diagnosis, it is also a deeply personal journey towards recovering. Ever story is different, every experience and struggle of cancer patients is different. This is why the theme of World Cancer Day 2025-2027 is 'United By Unique'.
Every year on February 4, World Cancer Day is observed to raise awareness among the population about cancer. The day also aims to encourage prompt detection and prevention and support global initiatives to reduce the cancer burden.
For the first time, World Cancer Day was celebrated on February 4, 2000 at the World Cancer Summit Against Cancer for the New Millennium which was held in Paris.
The Charter of Paris Against Cancer signed by global leaders and the Union for International Cancer Control established this day to be officially known as Cancer Day to promote research, prevent cancer, and improve patient services.
The theme 'United by Unique' is part of the three year long campaign from 2025 to 2027 that highlights that every cancer journey is unique. However, the theme highlights that despite this uniqueness, care could be promoted by staying united and to decrease inequalities. It also focuses on person centered care, compassion and seeing the person before the patient.
The campaign of World Cancer Day notes: "People-centred care is an approach that focuses on the needs, values, and active participation of individuals, families, and communities in the planning, delivery, and evaluation of care. This approach represents a fundamental shift in how health and cancer services are designed and delivered, placing those impacted by cancer at the heart of health systems."
World Cancer Day plays a vital role in promoting awareness among population. It also brings attention to early detection and initiates discussions about the symptoms that people may have missed which later turned out to be cancer. Furthermore, this day also helps people fight the stigma and misinformation around cancer.
The impact this day made last year was great. As per the World Cancer Organization Report, in 2025, 900 activities around cancer were conducted in 102 countries. Over 600 people shared their stories in different forms, including texts, videos, art, and more. The campaign reached over nine million engagement, with six billion impressions.
India is witnessing a sharp rise in its cancer burden, with recent reports highlighting a steady year-on-year increase in new cases. Experts link this surge to a mix of modern lifestyle changes, widespread tobacco consumption, environmental exposure, and limited access to early screening in several regions. Estimates from the National Cancer Registry Programme place the lifetime risk of developing cancer in India at roughly 11 per cent, though this risk varies significantly across different states and populations.
In metropolitan hubs such as Delhi, as well as in states including Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu, the number of newly reported cancer cases has climbed into the hundreds of thousands. This trend reflects not only a genuine rise in incidence but also improved diagnostic systems and reporting mechanisms that are helping identify cases more accurately.
Tobacco-related cancers continue to account for a substantial share of cases, particularly among men. At the same time, shifting lifestyle patterns, urban pollution, and environmental hazards are contributing to the broader increase in cancer rates across the country.
India’s cancer response framework includes preventive strategies such as awareness drives, early screening programmes, and vaccination initiatives like the HPV vaccine to reduce cervical cancer risk. Despite these efforts, significant gaps remain in terms of healthcare access, early diagnosis, and public awareness, which continue to challenge effective cancer control nationwide.
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Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has announced a surprising tax reduction for India's fishers and marine industry, and experts say it is good news for you too.
Until now, fish caught by Indian vessels beyond territorial waters and brought back to the country for mass consumption has been treated as import, attracting customs duties and integrated goods and services tax (GST).
The combined tax burden raises costs and compliance issues, which discouraged people from deep-sea and exclusive economic zone (EEZ) fishing as well as
However, during her Union Budget 2026 presentation, Sitharaman proposed that fish caught in the EEZ and high seas by Indian fishing vessels are treated as duty-free when brought into Indian ports and treated as exports when landed at foreign ports.
This means that the market availability for Omega-3 packed fishes including salmon, mackerel, tuna, herring and sardines will significantly increase as their existing steep prices see a tremendous fall.
Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fats known for their crucial role in brain function and overall mental health. Fish oil is particularly rich in EPA and DHA, which are vital components of cell membranes and have strong anti-inflammatory effects in the body.
These omega-3s play a critical role in human development, and they are primarily found in fatty fish and fish oil. Since many people do not consume enough fish, supplementation is often recommended to ensure adequate intake of these essential fatty acids.
Although the body can convert another type of omega-3, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), into EPA and DHA, this process is not highly efficient. As a result, fish oil supplements may provide a convenient way to ensure optimal levels of omega-3s.
READ MORE: NHS Doctor Says This Oil Instead of Cod Liver Is The Best Omega-3 Source
Some popular sources of Omega-3 include:
EPA and DHA are essential for maintaining brain function throughout life. These fatty acids are abundant in the brain's cell membranes, helping to preserve cell health and facilitate communication between brain cells.
Research has shown that a lack of omega-3 can lead to cognitive impairments. In animal studies, diets deficient in omega-3s resulted in reduced DHA levels in the brain, leading to deficits in learning and memory. In older adults, lower DHA levels have been linked to a smaller brain size, which may indicate accelerated brain ageing.
Maintaining sufficient levels of omega-3s can help support cognitive function and may reduce the risk of age-related brain decline.
The optimal dosage varies, but research suggests that 1,000–2,000 mg of omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil daily is a good starting point. People with depression should look for supplements with higher EPA content. It is pertinent to note that people should consult health experts before starting fish oil supplementation.
These imported, specialized cancer treatments, particularly targeted therapies and monoclonal antibodies, often cost thousands, placing a massive financial burden on patients, leading to lifelong debts.
In this year's Union Budget, Sitharaman also proposed reducing import duty tax on 17 cancer drugs and seven medicines for rare diseases, which will in turn, help patients seek proper care on a timely basis.
Deshmukh commented: "India is witnessing a steady and alarming rise in cancer cases, where late detection, prolonged treatment and high medicine costs often lead to preventable complications and loss of life. Against this backdrop, the Union Budget’s decision to remove customs duty on 17 cancer drugs and 7 medicines for rare diseases stands out as a truly progressive and patient-first measure.
"Affordability remains one of the biggest hurdles in cancer care, forcing many families to delay or discontinue treatment. By reducing import duties, this move has the potential to significantly lower the cost of advanced and targeted therapies, making them accessible to a larger section of patients."
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