Texas measles cases are underreported, response hurt by funding cuts, CDC scientist says
"We do believe that there's quite a large amount of cases that are not reported and underreported," Dr. David Sugerman, CDC Senior Scientist, said during an Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices meeting on Tuesday.
"In working very closely with our colleagues in Texas, in talking with families, they may mention prior cases that have recovered and never received testing. Other families that may have cases and never sought treatment," he said.
Sugerman took media questions following his presentation on the U.S. measles outbreak. Since measles was declared eliminated by the World Health Organization in 2000, there have been 11 large outbreaks in the U.S. with more than 50 cases, Sugerman said.
Texas Measles Outbreak Swells To 561 Cases, Cdc Sends More Help
"Seven of these outbreaks occurred in the last five years and nine were among close-knit communities with low vaccine coverage," he said.
Read On The Fox News App
"There are funding limitations in light of COVID-19 funding dissipating," Sugerman said, referring to $12 billion from the Department of Health and Human Services hit by DOGE cuts last month, The Austin American-Statesman reported.
Vitamin A As Measles Treatment? Rfk Jr.'s Comments Spark Discussion Of Benefits And Risks
"They are mobilizing the resources they have and moving staff from other domains into measles, moving them from other regions into region one in particular," Sugerman said.
Measles cases have continued to surge in Texas since the outbreak first began in late January.
State health officials reported 561 confirmed cases across 23 counties on Tuesday, an increase of 20 from April 11.
Gaines County, the center of the outbreak in west Texas, now accounts for nearly 65% of the state's total cases.
Fox News Digital's Bonny Chu and Stephen Sorace contributed to this report. Original article source: Texas measles cases are underreported, response hurt by funding cuts, CDC scientist says
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
6 hours ago
- Newsweek
Millennial Woman Has Stroke While Driving, Then Gets Shocking News in ER
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A woman initially thought her car brakes had failed, but soon realized the problem was that her right foot and the entire right side of her body was paralyzed. "I knew what was happening straight away," Kirsty Woodhouse told Newsweek. "I was terrified." After stopping the vehicle with her left foot and looking in the mirror, the 35-year-old's fears came true. The right side of her face had dropped, and she was having a stroke. She rang an ambulance and managed to tell them where she was, despite her speech being slurred. Typically, strokes affect people over the age of 65. However, the number of younger people experiencing strokes has increased, with the CDC reporting a 15 percent rise in stroke risk among Americans under 65 over the past decade. Prevalence has grown by 14.6 percent in those aged 18 to 44 and 15.7 percent in those aged 45 to 64. From left: Kirsty Woodhouse sits in the car; and takes a selfie while on holiday. From left: Kirsty Woodhouse sits in the car; and takes a selfie while on holiday. Kirsty Woodhouse Stroke Symptoms Return Multiple Times Around five minutes later, Woodhouse, from Warrington, England, was able to move her body again. But stroke symptoms reoccurred and resolved themselves six more times on April 17 last year. Before a CT scan, medics asked Woodhouse if she was pregnant, but she couldn't confirm as she had spent a few years trying to conceive and hadn't yet had her period that month. The scan revealed there was a blood clot in an artery in her brain. She was diagnosed with a transient ischemic attack (TIA), which happens when blood flow to the brain is temporarily blocked. The blockage often clears on its own, and symptoms typically last less than five minutes. Although a TIA doesn't leave permanent damage, it is a warning sign that a more-serious stroke could happen soon. "It was like reliving it all over again and again," Woodhouse told Newsweek. Expert Weighs In on Stroke Risks in Younger People Newsweek spoke to brain-injury expert Natalie Mackenzie, the founder of BIS Services, the U.K.'s leading provider of cognitive rehabilitation services for individuals with brain injury such as strokes. Mackenzie said: "A range of lifestyle factors may be driving this rise, including smoking, alcohol consumption, poor diet, lack of physical activity, and increased stress levels. "Among these factors, high blood pressure stands out as one of the most-significant risk factors. Although weight isn't the sole contributor, it can influence stroke risk." Lifesaving Procedure and Pregnancy Concerns Woodhouse underwent a thrombolysis procedure, which is done to break down and disperse a clot that is preventing blood from reaching the brain. "I was told if I am pregnant, then it's likely the baby won't survive as it's a blood-thinning procedure," Woodhouse said. "It seemed to have worked as I felt fine. "Twelve hours later, I remember feeling clammy, and I had a full stroke in hospital and, this time, the symptoms didn't resolve themselves," she added. For 48 hours, Woodhouse couldn't even wiggle a toe and was completely paralyzed on the right side. "It was scary," she said. "I had an MRI, which confirmed clot was gone but left a small amount of brain damage." With no family history of strokes and many tests, medics were unable to find out what caused it. Meanwhile, blood tests continued to show high hormone levels indicating a pregnancy. On her ninth day in hospital, she had a scan—and there was a baby. However, medics advised a termination as they believed the baby wouldn't survive or might be severely disabled. From left: Woodhouse poses while pregnant; and cuddles her healthy baby. From left: Woodhouse poses while pregnant; and cuddles her healthy baby. Kirsty Woodhouse "It was good news but at the wrong time. I thought, 'Am I even going to live past today?' I was so scared in case I wasn't going to make it," Woodhouse said. Medics expressed their concern about the baby and suggested a termination. "The stroke consultant said the pregnancy might not progress anyway or the baby might have disabilities," said Woodhouse. "They also didn't know how my body would cope with the physical demands of pregnancy and labor. "It was scary, but we were 100 percent certain we would not have a termination," she added. But finding out that she was going to be a mom for the third time spurred Woodhouse on during rehabilitation as she relearned how to walk and use her right arm again. In December, she gave birth to Grace. She said: "It's like she has always been here; she is healthy and a perfect baby." Today, she shares her story on TikTok and Instagram to raise awareness of strokes in young people, using the handle @strokesurvivor_babyandme.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
The #1 Nutrient You Should Be Eating to Reduce Your Skin Cancer Risk, According to a Dermatologist
Reviewed by Dietitian Karen Ansel, M.S., RDNSkin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S. and has multiple causes. Wearing sunscreen and avoiding excess sun exposure are the best protection. Research shows antioxidants may also help guard against this common time outside can boost your mood, promote better sleep and support your immune system (plus, it's free!). The only drawback is that outdoor time also exposes you to the sun's skin-damaging UV rays. Over time, that could set the stage for skin cancer, the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States. 'By far, the top risk factor for developing skin cancer is unprotected UV exposure, followed by genetic predisposition,' says dermatologist Geeta Yadav, M.D. There is good news, though. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, many cases of skin cancer are largely preventable. Adopting safe sun habits like applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen, wearing a hat, sunglasses and clothes that cover your arms and legs, and staying in the shade can all lower your UV exposure and significantly reduce your risk. So can avoiding tanning beds, which also emit large amounts of UV light. You can also bolster your skin's defenses from the inside out by eating more antioxidants. While diet plays a smaller role in skin cancer prevention, research reveals that antioxidants can provide additional protection to safeguard your skin from this all-too-common cancer. Skin cancer occurs when abnormal skin cells develop in the skin's outermost layer, called the epidermis. What causes those abnormal cells to develop and grow? The most common cause is DNA damage from exposure to UV rays, either from the sun or tanning beds. However, there are other risk factors too, like getting older or having a family history of skin cancer. You may also be more likely to develop skin cancer if you have blue or green eyes, red or blond hair, or have skin that's fair or burns or freckles easily. Of course, most of these risk factors are beyond your control. But there is one helpful step you can take, and that's eating an antioxidant-rich diet. In fact, research has found that dietary antioxidants can help counteract some of the damage caused by UV exposure before it turns into cancer. And the list is long: selenium, zinc, copper, carotenoids, polyphenols and vitamins A, C and E may all be protective, according to research. Exposure to UV light sets off a chain reaction that creates a storm of skin-damaging compounds called free radicals. That's where antioxidants step in. 'Antioxidants combat free radicals, unstable molecules that can damage cells and their DNA, proteins and lipids,' says Yadav. 'When there are too many free radicals in the body to the point that antioxidants cannot help neutralize them, oxidative stress occurs, leading to cellular dysfunction. This dysfunction could manifest as early signs of aging, but it could also manifest as cancer.' Regularly consuming antioxidant-rich foods equips your body with the defenders needed to neutralize those free radicals before they cause long-term harm. Not all DNA damage leads to cancer. In fact, our bodies have a natural defense mechanism to kill off DNA-damaged cells before they turn cancerous and start to spread. However, it's not foolproof, and some damage can fall through the cracks. Fortunately, research reveals that antioxidants called anthocyanins may help speed the process. While anthocyanins are found in lots of fruits and vegetables, one of the best sources for skin protection is berries. So, load up on these juicy fruits for an extra dose of prevention. Sunburns aren't just painful. This inflammatory reaction in your skin can cause long-lasting damage. Enter antioxidant-rich foods. Research has found that they help absorb some of the sun's harmful UV rays and reduce inflammation to decrease the development of sunburn., For instance, one study found that carotenoids, antioxidants found in yellow, orange and red fruits and vegetables, could provide the equivalent sun protection to SPF 4 sunscreen. For the biggest bang, think tomatoes. They're filled with a carotenoid called lycopene that's been shown to guard against sun damage from the inside out. If you're gearing up to spend more time outdoors, these tips can help you provide your skin with an extra layer of antioxidant protection. Eat the Rainbow: An easy rule of thumb for adding more antioxidants to your diet is to add more color to your plate. Fruits and vegetables with bright, deep hues are often the richest source of these beneficial compounds. Brew a Cup of Green Tea: There's a reason green tea is added to face creams, masks and serums. It's rich in antioxidants called catechins that have been shown to calm UV-related skin inflammation. Savor Some Dark Chocolate: While chocolate may not prevent skin cancer, it contains inflammation-taming antioxidants called polyphenols that may improve skin hydration and circulation. Since dark chocolate contains the most polyphenols, the darker the chocolate, the better! Getting regular skin checks and practicing safe sun habits like applying sunscreen, wearing a hat and protective clothing, and staying in the shade may all help reduce your risk of skin cancer. While diet plays a much smaller role, research has found that antioxidants may offer additional protection. Antioxidants are believed to combat cancer-causing oxidative stress, slow the spread of cancer cells and boost your body's internal defenses against inflammation and sunburn. And the best way to get more of them isn't a pill or powder. It's a diet rich in colorful fruits and vegetables. So, before you hit the beach, park or pool, head to the produce aisle! Read the original article on EATINGWELL
Newsweek
8 hours ago
- Newsweek
Map Shows States Closing Beaches Over Fecal Bacteria on 4th of July
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Beaches in at least seven states have been closed or issued health advisories due to elevated bacteria levels ahead of the Independence Day holiday weekend. States impacted by the warnings include California, New York, Massachusetts, Washington, Illinois, Michigan, and New Hampshire, according to notices from local health authorities. Why It Matters The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that swallowing water contaminated with bacteria can make you ill, including causing gastrointestinal illnesses such as diarrhea. It can also cause infections if you enter the water with an open wound or cut, especially from a piercing or surgery. According to a recent poll by YouGov, 14 percent of Americans plan to celebrate the 4th of July weekend by going to a beach or park. What To Know As of Thursday, beach area warnings were in place for eight locations in Los Angeles County, California, including: Ramirez Creek at Paradise Cove The Bel Air Bay Club at Will Rogers State Beach Mothers Beach in Marina Del Rey Castlerock Storm Drain at Topanga County Beach Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica Inner Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro Avalon Beach at Catalina Island, 50 feet west of the pier Avalon Beach at Catalina Island, east of the Casino Arch (Steps Beach) The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health said in a statement: "These warnings have been issued due to bacterial levels exceeding health standards when last tested." Visitors were cautioned to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in the water. File image. A dead fish lies in algae-filled water in Lake Erie in Ohio in 2017. File image. A dead fish lies in algae-filled water in Lake Erie in Ohio in 2017. Andy Morrison/The Blade/AP In New York, at least four beaches were closed to swimming across Nassau and Suffolk counties, including Biltmore Beach, Broadway Beach, Crescent Beach, and Ronkonkoma beach. In Massachusetts, more than a dozen beach closures were in effect due to "bacterial exceedance," according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. In Washington's King County, visitors at Houghton, Meydenbauer Bay, and Pritchard Island beaches were advised to stay out of the water due to high bacteria levels. At least eight advisories were issued in Illinois in recent weeks, NBC News reported. High bacteria levels also prompted closures at three Michigan beaches at Camp Ohiyesa, Eagle Lake Road, and Orchard Lake Country Club. Meanwhile in New Hampshire, fecal bacteria advisories were issued on Tuesday for Sandbornton Town Beach and FB Argue Recreation Area Beach. While the above locations were closed due to bacterial contamination, not all specified they were caused by fecal bacteria. What People Are Saying The Environmental Protection Agency says on its website: "Swimming, diving, or wading in water contaminated with fecal bacteria can result in gastrointestinal illness (such as diarrhea or vomiting), respiratory illness, and other health problems. "Skin, ear, eye, sinus, and wound infections can also be caused by contact with contaminated water." What Happens Next Regional health authorities provide regular updates regarding water quality at local beaches.
