Health
Texas confirms growing measles outbreak affecting school-aged children
Officials at the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) warn there is a growing measles outbreak involving school-aged children.
The report said that 10 cases have been identified in Gaines County and eight of the cases are school-aged children, of which two are under the age of 5. All were unvaccinated cases, said officials.
“Due to the highly contagious nature of this disease, additional cases are likely to occur in Gaines County and the surrounding communities,” the alert said.y
Seven of the cases have been hospitalized, according to the Texas DSHS.
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Viral disease. Measles rash on the body of the child. Allergy. (iStock)
The rise in cases comes more than two decades after measles was reported eliminated by health agencies in 2000.
This week’s alert went on to advise that additional cases are likely to occur soon.
“Due to the highly contagious nature of this disease, additional cases are likely to occur in Gaines County and the surrounding communities,” they said.
Measles concept as a deadly outbreak immunize,disease and viral illness as a contagious chickenpox or a skin rash in a 3D illustration style. (Photo: iStock) (iStock)
Officials urged people to immediately report any suspected cases to their local health department with the infected person in their presence.
DSHS said the virus can be transmitted through direct contact with infectious droplets or airborne and spread when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. They also warned that the virus can remain infectious in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area.
Vaccination is the best way for people to avoid infection from measles and other preventable diseases, the advisory said.
“Children too young to be vaccinated are more likely to have severe complications if they get infected with the measles virus,” DSHS said.
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The CDC on Thursday, April 11, 2024 released a report on recent measles case trends, noting that cases in the first three months of this year were 17 times higher than the average number seen in the first three months of the previous three years. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)
The report claims that each MMR dose lowers the risk of infection and the severity of illness if infected.
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“DSHS and CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommend children receive one dose of MMR vaccine at 12 to 15 months of age and another at 4 to 6 years. Each MMR dose lowers the risk of infection and severity of illness if infected. Children too young to be vaccinated are more likely to have severe complications if they get infected with the measles virus,” according to their reports.
In January, the Houston Health Department confirmed two cases of measles, prompting a health alert from the state. They were the first cases in Texas since 2023. Both cases were unvaccinated adults and had traveled internationally.
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Missing out on adequate sleep could be taking years off your life.
New research from the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), published in the journal Sleep Advances, found that poor sleep may shorten life expectancy more than other lifestyle factors like diet, exercise and loneliness.
The researchers analyzed nationwide CDC survey data, identifying trends associated with average life expectancy by county, according to a press release.
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The study found that lack of adequate sleep led to higher mortality risk in every U.S. state and was the top behavioral driver compared to other factors, only behind smoking.
Senior study author Andrew McHill, Ph.D., associate professor and director of the Sleep, Chronobiology, and Health Laboratory in the OHSU School of Nursing, noted in a statement that he did not expect sleep to be “so strongly correlated” to life expectancy.
Poor sleep is directly correlated with shorter life expectancy, the study reveals. (iStock)
“We’ve always thought sleep is important, but this research really drives that point home: People really should strive to get seven to nine hours of sleep, if at all possible,” he said.
“This research shows that we need to prioritize sleep at least as much as we do [in] what we eat or how we exercise.”
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In a previous interview with Fox News Digital, Dr. Daniel Amen, psychiatrist and owner of Amen Clinics in California, emphasized how important sleep is for brain function and longevity.
Researchers suggest people should prioritize sleep just as much as diet and exercise. (iStock)
“Sleep is so important,” he said. “When you sleep, your brain cleans and washes itself. And if you don’t sleep seven to nine hours at night, your brain looks older than you are — there’s less blood flow, and it increases inflammation in the brain.”
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“Your brain doesn’t have enough time to get rid of the toxins that build up during the day.”
Lack of adequate sleep can lead to poor decisions and foster toxic cycles, the doctor warned.
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“If your brain has less activity in the front part, not only are you tired, but you’re also hungrier, and you’re more likely to not make the best decisions,” he said.
“Which, of course, will stress you out, and then you won’t sleep well the next night.”
A doctor suggests being “purposeful” about going to bed and waking up each day. (iStock)
One small change to promote longevity and brain health is to try getting to bed 15 minutes earlier, Amen suggested.
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“Really be purposeful about not being distracted by Netflix or your phone,” he said.
“And when you get up in the morning, say to yourself, ‘Today is going to be a great day.’ The more positive you are, the better your brain.”
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