Health
Measles cases continue to spread in multiple states following child’s death
New measles cases have been reported since the first death in West Texas amid the ongoing outbreak.
The pediatric patient, who lived in Gaines County, died in Lubbock, Texas, on Tuesday, per a statement from health officials.
The child was reported to be “school-aged” and unvaccinated, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). Identity and gender were not disclosed.
FIRST MEASLES DEATH REPORTED IN WEST TEXAS AMID GROWING OUTBREAK
A total of 124 cases of measles have been confirmed in the West Texas outbreak since late January (as of Feb. 25).
New measles cases have been reported since the first death in West Texas amid the ongoing outbreak. (iStock)
Most of the cases are in children and a total of 18 people have been hospitalized, the DSHS reported in a press release.
Cases of measles have also been reported in other states.
MEASLES OUTBREAK CONTINUES TO WORSEN AMONG KIDS IN THIS US STATE
The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) has reported an outbreak of the highly contagious virus in Lea County, near Gaines County, Texas.
A total of nine cases have been confirmed in the county as of Feb. 25, according to the NMDOH’s website.
Four of those are between 5 and 17 years of age and five are adults.
Most cases have involved patients who were not vaccinated, according to reports. (iStock)
The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) has also reported three total cases of measles.
The first was reported on Feb. 14 in an unvaccinated person, according to a press release.
IS MMR VACCINE SAFE FOR KIDS? DR. NICOLE SAPHIER ADDRESSES CONCERNS AS MEASLES CASES RISE
The infected person was said to have recently traveled internationally and visited the emergency department at Englewood Hospital in Bergen County on Feb. 9.
“The two secondary cases of measles that have been identified were individuals with close contact to the original measles case,” the NJDOH told Fox News Digital. “The individuals have been under quarantine, minimizing any additional potential exposures. All three individuals were unvaccinated.”
‘Wildly contagious’
Fox News’ senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel weighed in on the first measles death on Wednesday, citing vaccination non-compliance as the likely reason that the disease is spreading through Texas and now into New Mexico.
Siegel suggested that high exemption rates for childhood vaccines, which are now under 85% compliance, are to blame. The majority of cases have occurred in unvaccinated individuals, mostly school-aged children.
“Keep in mind that for herd immunity (where those who cannot be vaccinated because they are pregnant or immunocompromised and can’t take a live vaccine are protected), we need a vaccination rate of around 95%,” he told Fox News Digital.
“In Texas, it is currently at 91%, and more bills for further exemptions are before the state legislature.”
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The doctor stressed that measles is “wildly contagious among unvaccinated individuals” and that the hospitalization rate is one in five, according to CDC data.
As pneumonia can occur in one out of every 20 measles cases, Siegel said this could explain the recent measles death.
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“Of the 124 patients so far, there are 18 hospitalizations, probably most from pneumonia,” he shared. “There are likely hundreds more cases that are not being reported.”
Health
The Wegovy Pill Is Here: See the Cost and How Much Weight You Can Lose
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Health
Missing sleep may take a hidden toll on your brain and longevity, research reveals
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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.
NEW HEALTH WARNING ISSUED OVER POPULAR SLEEP AID MILLIONS TAKE NIGHTLY
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.”
Health
The Best Time To Take ‘Nature’s Ozempic’ Berberine for Weight Loss and Blood Sugar Control, According to an MD
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