Once considered nearly eradicated in the United States, measles is making a troubling comeback. As of early April, nearly 600 confirmed cases have been reported across multiple states, with Texas emerging as the outbreak’s epicenter. The resurgence of this highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease is being linked to declining immunization rates, misinformation surrounding vaccines, and weakened public health infrastructure following recent federal budget cuts.

Experts warn that unless aggressive intervention strategies are employed—including increasing vaccination coverage and restoring epidemiological support—the current outbreak could not only persist for months but also jeopardize the U.S.'s measles elimination status achieved in 2000.

In a candid and critical moment of reflection, U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. urged Americans to get vaccinated against measles, even as he admitted on national television that he was unaware of the full impact of significant public health funding cuts enacted during his early tenure. The statement comes amid one of the largest measles outbreaks in recent U.S. history—now spanning multiple states and threatening to reverse decades of progress in infectious disease control.

As of this week, over 595 cases of measles have been confirmed across Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Kansas. Texas has borne the brunt of the outbreak with 505 cases reported in 21 counties, including urban spillovers that concern local officials. New Mexico has reported 56 cases, Oklahoma 10 (with two still under investigation), and Kansas 24, some of which are believed to be linked to the same source.

The outbreak’s epicenter is Gaines County, Texas—a rural region with low vaccination coverage and limited public health infrastructure. Public health authorities are scrambling to contain the virus, which is known for being highly contagious—transmissible to 90% of unvaccinated individuals in proximity to an infected person.

In his first network television interview since joining President Donald Trump’s cabinet, RFK Jr. sat down with CBS News’ Dr. Jon LaPook for a revealing conversation that quickly became the focus of nationwide scrutiny.

LaPook confronted Kennedy with the administration’s decision to implement $11 billion in cuts to programs targeting infectious diseases, childhood vaccinations, mental health, and addiction support.

“You proposed more than $11 billion in cuts... Did you personally approve those cuts?” asked LaPook.

Kennedy replied, “I’m not familiar with those cuts… Those were mainly DEI cuts, which the president ordered.”

LaPook countered with a specific example, “About $750,000 of a University of Michigan grant into adolescent diabetes was cut. Did you know that?”

“I didn’t know that, and that’s something that we’ll look at,” Kennedy responded, acknowledging that while some reinstatements had occurred, important studies may have been unintentionally defunded due to the sweeping nature of the restructuring.

The CDC’s local partnerships and lab capacities have been severely strained by the budget reductions. Several local health departments, particularly in Texas and New Mexico, have stated that their ability to track, test, and isolate measles cases has been weakened due to the loss of funding and trained personnel.

These challenges are compounded by HHS restructuring, which has resulted in the layoff of more than 10,000 employees under a new directive led by Kennedy in collaboration with the Musk-supported Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

“HHS’s job is to make America healthy. We’re spending $1.9 trillion a year and people are not getting healthy,” Kennedy said during the interview. “When you do a disruption of this scale… you may make mistakes in 20% of cases, and then you go back and fix them.”

Yet critics argue that the stakes are too high to risk such large-scale experimental reforms, especially in areas concerning communicable diseases.

Despite his controversial past as a prominent vaccine skeptic, Kennedy used the same interview platform to strongly endorse measles vaccination—a surprising but much-needed pivot.

“We are urging all families in outbreak areas to ensure their children are vaccinated with the MMR vaccine,” Kennedy said, echoing guidance issued by the CDC earlier this week.

The Texas Department of Health Services is now encouraging parents in outbreak zones to get the second MMR dose for children aged 1–4 as soon as possible. Infants between 6–11 months are also eligible for an early dose, with two more to follow on the standard schedule.

The CDC emphasized that 12% of all measles cases this year have required hospitalization, making the situation even more urgent. Experts warn that if the outbreak continues for over 12 months, it could jeopardize the measles elimination status the U.S. achieved in 2000.

The outbreak has cast a spotlight on the fragile state of public health infrastructure, and Kennedy’s remarks have amplified the debate around how to fund and manage it effectively. Though he has promised to revisit specific defunded studies, public health experts remain cautious.

“What we need now is a full restoration of support—not just funds, but trust,” said Dr. Erin Thomas, an infectious disease specialist based in Houston. “These cuts sent a message that infectious disease prevention was no longer a national priority. This outbreak is the direct consequence.”

The statement by the Department of Health and Human Services last week, calling COVID-19 a “non-existent pandemic” and labeling response efforts as wasteful spending, further illustrates the administration’s departure from traditional public health principles.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), US, has issued a statement recalling an organic baby formula. The company ByHeart Inc's two lots of Whole Nutrition Infant Formula has been recalled, the lots are:

• Lot: 206VABP/251261P2 ("Use by 01 Dec 2026")
• Lot: 206VABP/251131P2 ("Use by 01 Dec 2026")

In a statement, the CDC wrote:

CDC and public health officials in several states, the Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program, and FDA are investigating a multistate outbreak of infant botulism linked to recalled infant formula. Infant botulism happens when swallowed spores from a type of bacteria called Clostridium botulinum infects a baby's large intestine and make toxin in it. Infant botulism often starts with constipation but is usually first noticed as difficulty feeding (sucking and swallowing), a weak and altered cry, and loss of muscle tone.

The CDC also notes that 10 states have seen the cases infant botulism. 13 cases have been reported, all of them leading to hospitalization.

The Food and Drug Administration (DA), US has also asked parents and caregivers who have this product to identify the given lot information at the bottom of the packaging and if it matches, they must throw it away. The FDA has said that it is working with retailers to remove "all potentially impacted product" from the store shelves.

FDA has also asked parents who have fed their kids ByHeart's infant formula to keep and eye on them as a precaution and botulism can take two weeks to develop.

The States Which Have Reported The Cases Of Infant Botulism Linked With ByHeart Formula:

• Arizona
• California
• Illinois
• Minnesota
• New Jersey
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• Texas
• Washington

What Is Infant Botulism?

Most common form of all botulism in babies, who are between 2 to 8 months old. It happens when the bacteria spores grow in a baby’s intestines and produce the toxin. Honey and contaminated soil can be sources of infant botulism. Adults can also get this type, though it’s rare.

What Are The Symptoms Of Botulism In Infants?

As per CDC, the symptoms include:

• Most infants with infant botulism will initially develop constipation, poor feeding, loss of head control, and difficulty swallowing
• If untreated, infants with infant botulism experience a progressive flaccid paralysis that can lead to breathing difficulties and required weeks of hospitalization

The CDC has also recommended that if clinical supports infant botulism then parents and caregivers must begin the treatment and should not wait for laboratory confirmation.

What Did The Makers Of The Infant Formula Say?

ByHeart, which is a New York City based company said that the FDA has as of now tracked 83 reports of infant botulism across the nation since August, 13 of them from the formula. In the statement, the company said: "ByHeart is taking the proactive step to remove any potential risk from the market and ensure the highest level of safety for infants. The FDA has not identified a direct link between any infant formula and these cases and there is no historical precedent of infant formula causing infant botulism."

Eli Lilly’s weight-loss and diabetes injection, Mounjaro, has overtaken GSK’s antibiotic Augmentin (GSK.L) to become India’s highest-selling drug by value in October, as demand for weight-loss treatments continues to surge in the world’s most populated country. According to new data from research firm Pharmarack, the U.S.-based drugmaker’s popular injectable earned ₹1 billion ($11.38 million) in sales last month, compared to Augmentin’s ₹800 million.

While Augmentin still led in overall units sold—5.8 million doses versus 85,000 of Mounjaro—the latter’s premium pricing pushed it ahead in total value, as per Reuters. Analysts say India is rapidly emerging as a major market for obesity treatments, with the global weight-loss drug sector expected to cross $150 billion annually by the end of this decade.

Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro Becomes India’s Top-Selling Medicine in October

Launched in India in March 2025, Mounjaro which helps regulate blood sugar levels and reduces appetite—has seen its sales double within months, surpassing its rival Wegovy by Novo Nordisk, which entered the Indian market in June. Data from Pharmarack shows that Mounjaro has so far generated ₹3.33 billion in total revenue.

“Mounjaro’s consumption in India by volume was nearly ten times higher than Wegovy in October,” said Sheetal Sapale, Vice President (Commercial) at Pharmarack. Eli Lilly sold around 262,000 doses of Mounjaro last month, compared to 26,000 doses of Wegovy. Both drugs belong to the GLP-1 receptor agonist class, designed to treat obesity and type 2 diabetes.

How Does Mounjaro Work?

Mounjaro is a once-weekly injectable medication developed primarily for managing type 2 diabetes. Its key ingredient, tirzepatide, is the first of its kind to act on two gut hormones—GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) and GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide). This dual mechanism makes Mounjaro more advanced than older drugs such as Ozempic (semaglutide) or Victoza (liraglutide), which target only GLP-1, which is thus driving a surge in its sale in india.

Although it was originally approved for diabetes management, Mounjaro has attracted global attention for its strong weight-loss effects. Ongoing studies are evaluating its use for non-diabetic individuals struggling with obesity. The drug mimics the action of GIP and GLP-1, which are hormones released naturally after meals to regulate insulin release, lower blood sugar, and suppress appetite.

Mounjaro for Type 2 Diabetes

For people living with type 2 diabetes, keeping blood sugar in check often requires a combination of medicines, diet adjustments, and regular monitoring. Mounjaro offers a more integrated solution by targeting multiple factors that influence glucose levels. Findings from clinical trials, including the SURPASS-1 to SURPASS-5 studies, show that Mounjaro delivers better outcomes than many existing diabetes treatments, particularly in lowering HbA1c levels—a key marker of long-term glucose control.

Patients using Mounjaro have shown:

• Lower fasting and post-meal blood sugar levels
• Reductions in HbA1c by up to 2.5%
• Improved insulin sensitivity

Mounjaro and Weight Loss

Beyond its use for diabetes, Mounjaro has gained global popularity for its significant role in weight reduction. Clinical studies reveal that people taking the drug often lose between 15% and 20% of their body weight over several months of consistent use. This level of weight loss surpasses that seen with many earlier treatments and even some surgical interventions, making Mounjaro one of the most effective options currently available for managing obesity.

Disclaimer: This article is intended for general information and should not replace professional medical guidance. Always consult your doctor for advice or concerns regarding any health condition.

Following the sharp hike in the H-1B visa fee to $100,000, the Trump administration may soon begin rejecting visa applications from foreigners with certain health conditions, including diabetes and obesity.

While there has been no formal confirmation from U.S. authorities, a report by KFF Health News said a cable from the State Department to embassies and consulates listed new health-related grounds for visa denials.

Trump May Now Deny Entry to Diabetic and Obese Immigrants

According to the report, the guidance instructs visa officers to consider applicants ineligible for entry based on factors such as age and medical conditions, including cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, cancer, diabetes, metabolic and neurological disorders, and certain mental health conditions.

Officers have also been told to evaluate other issues such as obesity — which can contribute to high blood pressure, asthma, and sleep apnea, when assessing whether an applicant might become a “public charge,” or a potential financial burden on the U.S. government.

The guidance further directs officials to determine whether the applicant has sufficient financial resources to pay for their care. “Does the applicant have adequate financial resources to cover the costs of such care over his entire expected lifespan without seeking public cash assistance or long-term institutionalization at government expense?” the cable states.

It adds that individuals who could become a “public charge” — due to age or chronic health problems, may be denied entry for potentially relying on U.S. public resources.

Although the directive applies broadly to most visa categories, it is expected to primarily impact those applying for permanent residency, senior attorney Charles Wheeler told KFF Health News.

Can US Officers Reject Visas Over Health Or Financial Ability?

Visa officers have also been instructed to evaluate whether applicants can afford medical treatment independently, without relying on U.S. public funds.

Wheeler said the new rule gives officers the power to form their own opinions on what might lead to future medical emergencies or financial strain. “That’s concerning because these officers are not medically trained, have no expertise in this area, and should not be making projections based on personal judgment or bias,” Wheeler said.

US Visa Officers To Consider Health Of Applicants’ Family Members

The cable also instructs visa officers to assess the health of applicants’ family members — including children or elderly parents, when determining visa eligibility.

“Do any of the dependents have disabilities, chronic medical conditions, or other special needs and require care such that the applicant cannot maintain employment?” the State Department communication asks.

Currently, immigrant applicants must undergo a medical examination conducted by a doctor approved by the U.S. embassy. The screening includes tests for infectious diseases, an evaluation of mental health history, substance use, and proof of vaccination against illnesses such as measles, polio, and hepatitis B.

However, immigration lawyer Sophia Genovese from Georgetown University noted that the new guidance expands these requirements by directing officials to weigh long-term health conditions, not just communicable diseases, when reviewing visa applications.