Public Health

The number of measles cases in Texas and New Mexico has surpassed 200, more than doubling over the past two weeks, according to state health officials, The Wall Street Journal reported March 7. 

The CDC's latest report shows that respiratory illness activity remained moderate across the U.S., with high emergency department visits for influenza, while COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus visits remain low. 

Interventions to reduce antibiotic use have found success in two level IV neonatal intensive care units, according to research published in Pediatrics. 

The CDC has deployed a team of epidemiologists to West Texas as the state battles a growing measles outbreak, according to an agency post on X. 

New research indicates that global obesity rates will substantially increase between 2022 and 2030, with 15.6% of those ages 5 to 14 expected to have the chronic disease by 2050. 

The CDC reported that acute respiratory illness levels remain moderate across the U.S., with influenza-related emergency department visits still high, RSV visits at moderate levels and COVID-19 visits considered at low levels. 

Preliminary estimates show the flu vaccine was up to 55% effective at preventing hospitalizations among adults this season, according to a Feb. 27 CDC report.

An unvaccinated school-age child in Texas became the first known U.S. measles fatality since 2015, The Washington Post reported Feb. 26. 

Five older adults have been hospitalized after receiving the chikungunya vaccine, Ixchiq, prompting the CDC to launch an investigation. 

Nearly 100 cases of measles have been confirmed in Texas and New Mexico in recent weeks, though health officials say the true number of infections is likely much higher.