A rapidly spreading measles epidemic in West Texas has caused an alarm among public health officials, particularly in the rural areas where vaccination rates are stuck at perilously low percentages. The outbreak, which began spreading in late January, has caused several hospitalizations, with at least nine confirmed cases and three probable cases as early February. Health officials warn that at least one in five afflicted individuals will need to be hospitalized, underscoring the seriousness of the situation.

Gaines County, one of the hardest-hit regions in Texas, has some of the worst childhood vaccination rates in all of Texas. Immunization rates have been reported to drop even lower in private schools and homeschooling groups, where vaccination statistics are not always reported. To actually contain measles, an astonishing 95% of the population must be vaccinated, creating herd immunity and protecting infants who are too young to be immunized. Current rates, however, are far short of this vital level, allowing the virus to spread unchecked.

What is Measles?

Measles has been considered one of the most contagious viral diseases known to mankind, with a history dating back at least to the 7th century. The disease is caused by the measles virus, a member of the Morbillivirus genus, and it most commonly attacks children. Once established, the virus initially infects the respiratory tract before spreading throughout the body.

The illness is spread easily through airborne droplets, which are emitted when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Since the virus can survive in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours, crowded public spaces become breeding grounds for contagion. This unprecedented level of contagion makes measles outbreaks particularly difficult to control in populations weighted with low immunization rates.

Symptoms of Measles in Infants

Infants are especially susceptible to measles because their immune systems are still in the process of developing. The infection goes through a series of stages, starting with mild symptoms that become more severe. Parents must watch for the following early warning signs:

Fever: A high fever, usually above 101°F, is usually the first indication of measles.

Cold-like Symptoms: Runny nose, sneezing, and general weakness can be similar to common colds.

Conjunctivitis: Red, inflamed eyes and sensitivity to light may be present.

Persistent Cough: A dry, hacking cough usually accompanies the early stage of infection.

After a few days, the most identifiable symptom of measles emerges:

Rash: The measles rash starts as flat, red spots on the face and upper neck before spreading to the chest, arms, and legs. The rash lasts up to a week and is not itchy.

The incubation period for measles is approximately 10 days after exposure, with the infectious period lasting from four days before the rash appears to four days after. Because the virus is so contagious, an infected infant can unknowingly spread measles to others before symptoms are fully developed.

Why is Measles Dangerous for Infants?

Although most children recover from measles, serious complications can occur, especially in infants and those with compromised immune systems. Possible complications include:

Pneumonia: The most frequent cause of measles-related death in young children.

Encephalitis: Inflammation of the brain, resulting in seizures, brain damage, or death.

Dehydration: Due to high fever and fluid loss.

Ear Infections: Potentially leading to long-term hearing loss.

How Can Measles Be Prevented?

Vaccination is still the best means of preventing measles. The Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccine offers lifelong immunity in most people after two doses. The standard vaccination schedule in the U.S. includes:

First dose: 12 to 15 months old

Second dose: 4 to 6 years old

Infants going abroad can have the first dose administered as young as six months old. Parents should discuss setting the optimal schedule of vaccinations with their pediatricians.

Caring for an Infant with Measles at Home

There is no specific antiviral treatment for measles; care is symptomatic and intended to avert complications. If an infant does contract measles, parents will need to:

• Provide ample rest and hydration.
• Take fever-reducing medications (such as acetaminophen) as recommended by the physician.
• Isolate the infant to avoid virus transmission.
• Get the infant examined at once if complications occur, such as difficulty breathing or seizures.

The Texas outbreak of measles serves to illustrate the importance of maintaining high levels of vaccination to protect vulnerable groups from the virus. Infants under one year of age are shielded from the virus by herd immunity, and mass immunization is a matter of public health concern. Outbreaks such as that which occurred in Gaines County remind us that skepticism of vaccines has terrifying consequences, endangering children's lives as well as that of the population as a whole.

The Texas resurgence of measles is a public health crisis that need not have occurred with aggressive vaccination. In infants, symptoms are severe and lead to complications requiring hospitalization. While public health officials struggle to bring the outbreak under control, it is imperative that parents ensure their children receive vaccinations promptly. Immunization is not an individual choice—immunization is a civic responsibility that promotes the health of an entire population.

Measles, with the right level of awareness and vaccination, can remain a disease of the past rather than an active concern of the present.

In another news, President Donald Trump's latest nominee for US surgeon general, Dr Casey Means, is better known to some as a rising wellness influencer. Over the past year, she has shared her health philosophy with many on various podcast channels, which are popular for wellness content, most of them being right-wing podcast, as US News describes it. These podcasts have discussed everything from organic diets, chronic diseases, their prevention, and of course, vaccine skepticism, and spirituality.

She may use the surgeon general's platform to promote the lifestyle-based approaches that she has been talking about, which may challenge the conventional views on pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and modern medicines.

Focusing On Root Cause

Now 37, Dr Means left her residency program to focus on what she calls the "root causes" of disease. She believes that chronic illnesses such as obesity, infertility, cancer, and Alzheimer's are not being properly addressed by traditional medicines.

As per her, a combination of environmental toxins, processed food, and tech overuse is damaging the body's metabolic system, which remains the core of most chronic health problems.

Speaking to Joe Rogan in October, she said: “It’s all caused by metabolic dysfunction, a term that I never learned in medical school.” Her philosophy closely mirrors that of Health Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr., who has called for deep investigations into environmental factors behind conditions like autism.

Dr. Means has voiced concern over the widespread use of certain drugs. On “The Tucker Carlson Show,” she criticized the overprescription of birth control pills, calling it a “disrespect of things that create life.” She also raised alarms over the use of popular weight-loss drugs like Ozempic, calling them “very dark” and suggesting they promote the false idea of a “magic pill” for health.

Rejection Of Processed Food

Much of Dr. Means’ health advice centers on diet. She advocates for organic, non-GMO foods and warns against refined sugars, pesticides, and ultra-processed meals. On Jay Shetty’s podcast, she even suggested an executive order to eliminate added sugars from school lunches.

Her concerns extend to seed oils—like canola and soybean—which she groups with harmful food additives. Although mainstream nutrition experts say such oils can be beneficial in moderation, Means believes they contribute to declining public health.

While Dr. Means often prefaces her vaccine comments by noting it's not her area of expertise, she has publicly questioned parts of the U.S. childhood vaccination schedule. On Kristin Cavallari’s podcast, she pointed to the hepatitis B vaccine for newborns as her “gateway” to questioning broader vaccine policies.

She also criticized COVID-19 vaccine mandates, saying they caused significant societal harm and sparked public distrust in health institutions. “Maybe we shouldn’t be blindly trusting the experts,” she said.

Dr. Means blends science with spirituality in her view of wellness. She’s described current public health trends as “extinction-level” and frequently says “Rome is burning” to describe the urgency. For her, healing requires not just lifestyle changes but also a deep spiritual reconnection with the body, Earth, and the divine.

“Do we want to connect with God and respect these temples we’ve been given?” she asked Rogan. “That’s the choice we have right now.”

Anyone who has ever cared for a child with painful ear infection would know how difficult those days and nights are when the child is unable to be at peace. Relief often takes time, and sometimes doe not at all come. However, ear infections in toddlers are quite a common phenomenon, and are often stubborn. Children can also develop resistance to standard antibiotics due to its constant use. This means the infection can return even after days of treatment.

So, what is the solution?

Researchers at Cornell University may have found it. There is an alternative that exist- a single-dose, topical antibiotic gel that could simplify treatment and reduce recuring infections.

What Does It Do?

While earlier, the doctors have relief on oral antibiotics, which also had side effects like upset stomachs, and year infections. This new method delivers medicines directly in the infected ear. Doctors predict this to be game changer, especially for children who struggle with oral medication.

However, the challenge is that most ear infections affect the middle ear, which sits behind the eardrum. This is the barrier that most drugs cannot cross. This is where the new approach and its innovation comes into play.

The Gel And The Science Behind It

The research is led by Rong Yang, assistant professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering, and the Cornell team have found their way around. They have packaged the antibiotic ciprofloxacin into microscopic delivery vehicles called liposomes. These are tiny, bubble-like structure which are used to carry drugs to hard-to-reach parts of the body.

These liposomes are negatively charged, which then helps them to bind better to the ear tissue. They are then incorporated into a gel-like salve, which is then applied directly to the eardrum.

What Do We Know Of The Trials?

In lab tests on chinchillas — whose ears closely resemble human ears — the results were impressive. The infections cleared up within 24 hours of a single application. Over the next week, no signs of the infection returned, and there was no inflammation in the eardrums.

The study, recently published in ACS Nano, marks a significant step toward making ear infection treatment faster, more effective, and less taxing on children and their families.

Are There Any Challenges?

Despite these promising results, researchers caution that what works in animals doesn’t always translate directly to humans. Other versions of the gel tested on chinchillas were less effective, and much more work remains before this treatment can be approved for children.

Still, the potential is real. "A single-dose treatment for middle ear infections represents a significant step forward," Yang said in a statement. "It could reduce the burden on families and improve outcomes for young children."

She added that moving from lab tests to clinical trials is the next key step: "It has the potential to improve patient compliance, reduce antibiotic resistance, and ultimately transform how children receive antibiotics."

A massive recall has been issued for over 2 million eye drop cartons due to concerns over sterility that can be potentially harmful and lead to serious eye infections, blindness, and even permanent blindness in extreme cases.

The voluntary recall, issued jointly by AvKARE, a Tennessee pharmaceutical distributor, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is being labeled a Class II recall—meaning that although the danger of serious harm is relatively minor, the harm can be transient or medically reversible.

The eye drops were recalled from store shelves after an FDA audit uncovered manufacturing deficiencies that rendered product sterility in doubt. Although neither the FDA nor AvKARE would reveal the specifics regarding the manufacturing deficiencies, the notice of recall mentioned a "lack of assurance of sterility"—a rather disturbing red flag for products that are applied directly to the eyes.

Ophthalmic sterility is non-negotiable. A compromise of sterility, however slight, invites bacterial contamination, which has the potential to penetrate the soft tissues of the eye and develop catastrophic infections.

These products have been shipped between May 26, 2023, and April 21, 2025, which could have endangered millions of customers—particularly those who are addressing chronic dry eye symptoms or season allergies.

How Can Eye Drops Cause Blindness?

To the typical consumer, a contaminated eye drop bottle may not appear to be anything. But the reality is darker. Non-sterile solutions can be a portal of entry for bacteria, fungi, or even parasites, all of which can wreak havoc on the internal environment of the eye.

In 2023, when contaminated eye drops containing a drug-resistant bacteria strain caused 50 infections in 11 U.S. states. That outbreak caused one death and several cases of permanent blindness, highlighting just how perilous contaminated eye drops are.

More disturbing is the likelihood that consumers will unknowingly use these recalled products, particularly at the height of allergy season, when dry eyes are a frequent complaint and over-the-counter relief is in high demand.

If you have recently used one of the recalled eye drops, beware of these warning signs of potential infection:

• Redness or swelling of the eye
• Pain or stinging
• Blurred vision or visual changes
• Abnormal discharge or watery eyes
• Increased sensitivity to light

Although no health problems have yet been officially reported regarding this particular recall, an early intervention is always the best course of action. If infection is suspected, stop using at once and seek an ophthalmologist. AvKARE has put out a strong notice:

Immediately stop using the recalled products. Retailers are requested to pull the products from store shelves and return all unsold merchandise to the distributor for a full refund, including the cost of return shipping.

The recall was initiated by BRS Analytical Service, LLC, an independent laboratory that tests pharmaceuticals for compliance. The action demonstrates growing scrutiny from the FDA, particularly after last year's death from eye drops.

Although the identity of the manufacturer is not revealed, the FDA has not eliminated further action, particularly if more products prove to be dangerous.

What This Means For Your Eye Health?

This event brings to the fore the larger issues regarding the regulation and testing of over-the-counter (OTC) eye care products. It acts as a reminder for consumers and medical professionals alike to ensure that proper eye hygiene, product handling, and consultation with medical practitioners at the right time are ensured.

Even synthetic tears, deemed by most to be harmless, may induce temporary blurring of the vision, allergic reactions, or introduce irritants in the form of preservatives or thickeners if improperly used. No prescription or OTC eye drop should be employed for longer than recommended, and sharing usage is strictly avoided.

The patient should also understand that improper packaging and expired usage can weaken the product and even inflict more harm. Always examine the seal and expiration date and never use bottles with broken or tampered packages.

What To Do If Your Eyes Are Affected?

You may see a complete list of the products recalled and lot numbers on the FDA or AvKARE's official notice of recall webpage. If you already have the affected eye drops:

• Discontinue use immediately.
• Place them in a sealed bag to avoid accidental opening.
• Get a refund or disposal guidance from your retailer.
• Consult a healthcare professional if you're experiencing symptoms.

Medical practitioners are also cautioned to inform the FDA's MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program about any product quality issues or adverse events.

Stay up to date, read labels attentively, and never settle for the safety of what you put in your eyes. If you use eye drops frequently, think about talking to a certified ophthalmologist to discuss preservative-free options and individualized choices that are safer for long-term use.