Dr. Lila Myrick had only read about measles in medical school. The disease was a medical concept, not a daily reality.

That changed in late January when a young girl arrived at her ER. She had the telltale rash of measles. The child had no immunity and a respiratory condition.

She became one of the first measles cases in Gaines County, Texas. This rural area is now the center of the largest U.S. measles outbreak in six years.

Last week, measles cases continued rising. Early this month, one unvaccinated child died. It was the first U.S. measles death in a decade.

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New CDC research shows wastewater sampling can predict outbreaks early. Scientists simulated pathogen monitoring in sewer systems. They found wastewater tracking detects viruses and bacteria before they spread widely.

A separate Nature study simulated wastewater sampling from airplanes. It showed this method detects pandemics two months earlier than current protocols. Researchers suggest monitoring 20 major airports to track new diseases.

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A new CDC study suggests humans can spread bird flu to cats. Researchers examined two feline cases in Michigan from May 2024. Both cats lived with farm workers exposed to infected dairy cattle. The virus proved fatal in each case.

Both cats were indoor pets and showed severe illness. Symptoms included respiratory distress and neurological issues. The study raises concerns about the virus spreading between species. Scientists are monitoring the risk to other animals.

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The bird flu virus is mutating quickly and spreading more among mammals. Officials reported the first known case of bird flu in a sheep. This is the first time bird flu has been found in that species.

New research shows the virus is changing faster than before. These changes make current antibodies less effective against infection. As a result, bird flu now poses a greater threat to animals. Experts say the risk to humans is also rising with each mutation.

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Tuberculosis is becoming a more serious global health problem. TB infections in children rose 10% in Europe last year. Reported TB cases also increased in the U.S. last year.

An outbreak began in January 2024 in Kansas City, Kansas. TB kills more than 1 million people worldwide every year. The growing threat poses greater risk to poorer countries.

Recent U.S. aid cuts have disrupted global TB treatment programs. The Trump administration’s cuts weakened support for international TB work. Many global TB efforts depend heavily on U.S. financial aid.

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Two new studies link black-legged ticks to red meat allergy. This condition is called alpha-gal syndrome, or AGS for short. People with AGS react after eating meat from mammals.

AGS was once only linked to bites from lone star ticks. As spring temperatures rise, insect activity increases across the country. Climate change is also pushing many bug species farther to the north.

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Tanzania has confirmed two cases of Marburg virus in the Kagera region. The outbreak now includes ten cases—two confirmed and eight probable. Nine people have died, giving the outbreak a 90% fatality rate.

The WHO first reported the outbreak on January 14. Tanzania officially declared it a confirmed outbreak on January 20.

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Antibiotic-resistant superbugs are a growing health threat. Nearly 5 million people die from these infections each year. Experts predict this number will rise by 70%, reaching 40 million deaths by 2050. Scientists must find new ways to stop harmful bacteria.

A new PLOS One study offers hope. Researchers found that hemolymph protein extract (HPE) from Sydney rock oysters (Saccostrea glomerata) can kill harmful bacteria. These proteins, called antimicrobial proteins and peptides (AMPPs), also help antibiotics work better. The study suggests that HPE could improve antibiotic treatments and slow resistance.

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Childhood vaccination rates in the U.S. have dropped since the COVID-19 pandemic. Vaccines for common diseases are now less common among kindergartners. Even states with high coverage rates have seen declines.

This trend increases risks for individuals and the broader community. Falling rates could expose adults to illnesses considered childhood diseases. They could also bring back diseases like polio, once thought eradicated.

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Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal prion illness in deer. It also affects elk, moose, and reindeer. The disease has no cure and spreads through saliva, feces, and blood. CWD has been found in 35 U.S. states and five Canadian provinces.

The University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) released a new report. It examines how genetic differences in CWD strains influence disease spread. Some experts worry CWD could jump to humans or livestock.

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