Pennsylvania's first measles case of 2025: What to know
Why it matters: The case, involving an unvaccinated child in Montgomery County, comes amid falling vaccination rates in the Keystone State and a declining trust in public health institutions.
State of play: Montgomery County health officials were conducting contract tracing as of Monday, per the county's website.
Officials warned about possible exposure to anyone who visited a handful of locations in North Philly, Plymouth Meeting and King of Prussia at certain times.
The case is related to international travel and not a domestic outbreak, state Department of Health spokesperson Mark O'Neill tells Axios.
Meanwhile, officials confirmed three measles cases in unvaccinated people in New Jersey as of last week.
Worth noting: Philly has not issued any health alerts about measles as of Monday, per the health department's website.
Flashback: Last winter, a measles outbreak in Philly infected nine mostly unvaccinated individuals, seven of whom were hospitalized.
Zoom out: A measles outbreak is growing in Texas, where at least 140 cases have been identified since late January.
One unvaccinated child has died.
Nationwide, at least 164 cases were reported across nine states as of Feb. 27, which didn't include the most recent Pennsylvania case.
Most involved children and teens.
Context: In 2000, the disease was officially eliminated in the U.S. following an effective vaccination program.
Yes, but: Measles rates have risen again as vaccination rates among kindergarteners have dropped below the target set by the CDC.
The CDC estimates that vaccination coverage of at least 95% prevents measles outbreaks.
By the numbers: Philly's vaccination rate is at least 93%; the state's is 93.5%.
What they're saying: Katie Lockwood, a doctor at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, tells Axios that she's concerned about future measles outbreaks due to declining vaccination rates.
While acknowledging that it's unlikely for a child to contract measles outside an outbreak area, Lockwood warned: "We need people to get vaccines."
How can I stay safe?
The best way to protect against measles is to get vaccinated, per the CDC.
There are two vaccines that protect against measles as well as mumps and rubella — the MMR and MMRV vaccines.
Those vaccines are for children at least 12 months old and adults, per the CDC.
Yes, but: Infants 6-11 months old can get a dose of the MMR vaccine before traveling internationally, the CDC recommends.
Who's at risk?
Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease and can cause serious health complications, including death, especially in children under 5.
Immunocompromised people, unvaccinated people, and vaccinated people who did not develop immunity are at highest risk of infection.
Pregnant women, adults over 30, immunocompromised people, and young unvaccinated children are at the highest risk of severe complications.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, red or watery eyes, and white spots in the mouth.
Another symptom is a rash, which begins on the face and moves downward to cover the entire body.
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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that one in five infected individuals requires hospitalization, making this outbreak a significant strain on health care systems across multiple states. The resurgence occurs amid declining childhood vaccination rates nationwide since the COVID-19 pandemic, with increasing numbers of parents claiming religious or personal conscience exemptions. Communities require vaccination rates above 95 percent to maintain "herd immunity" and prevent widespread transmission. What To Know The outbreak has resulted in at least 155 hospitalizations, affecting 431 adults and 824 children, with three confirmed deaths. Two elementary school-aged children died in West Texas, while one adult died in New Mexico—all were unvaccinated. The CDC confirmed that 1,267 cases were officially reported through their surveillance system as of Wednesday. The majority of cases stem from a large outbreak originating in West Texas, where 753 confirmed cases have been reported across 36 counties since January. Gaines County remains the epicenter, with 55 percent of Texas cases concentrated in this area after the virus spread through a close-knit, undervaccinated Mennonite community. Some critics say Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s efforts to contain the epidemic in the tight-knit, religious West Texas community ran counter to established public health strategies used to end past epidemics. "The hyperpartisanship we're experiencing, coupled with the de-prioritization of policy expertise, is leading to profound divides in trust in agencies and health recommendations, and this trust will be difficult to rebuild, especially as we see the continued hollowing out of the public health bureaucracy," Miranda Yaver, assistant professor of health policy and management at the University of Pittsburgh, previously told Newsweek. Confirmed measles cases have been reported by 39 states and jurisdictions, with Texas, New Mexico, and Kansas showing the highest concentrations. Active outbreaks, defined as three or more related cases, are occurring in Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, and Utah. Kentucky reported its first outbreak of 2025 last month. Symptoms appear seven to 14 days after virus contact, typically including high fever, cough, runny nose, and watery eyes. The characteristic rash appears three to five days after initial symptoms, often accompanied by fever spikes exceeding 104 degrees. Koplik's spots—tiny white spots inside the mouth—may appear two to three days after symptoms begin. What People Are Saying Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. confirmed the Texas deaths: "The April 3 death was an 8-year-old child" and "a 6-year-old unvaccinated child with no underlying conditions died of measles in Texas in late February." U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention emphasized prevention: "The best way to avoid measles is to get the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine. The first shot is recommended for children between 12 and 15 months old and the second between 4 and 6 years old." Dr. Mathew Kiang, assistant professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Population Health at Stanford University, said in an April statement: "With measles, we found that we're already on the precipice of disaster. If vaccination rates remain the same, the model predicts that measles may become endemic within about 20 years." Lara Anton, a spokesperson for the Texas Department of State Health Services, previously told Newsweek: "[Texas Department of State Health Services] DSHS has been encouraging people to get vaccinated if they are not immune to measles because it is the best way to prevent illness and stop the virus from spreading." Miranda Yaver, an assistant professor of health policy and management at the University of Pittsburgh, previously told Newsweek: "We now have over 1,000 confirmed measles cases in the United States, and this is avoidable with vaccination, which we know to be safe and effective. We are seeing the proliferation of vaccine hesitancy, with a pronounced partisan split, extending well beyond the COVID vaccine." A measles advisory is shown tacked to a bulletin board outside Gaines County Courthouse on April 9 in Seminole, Texas. A measles advisory is shown tacked to a bulletin board outside Gaines County Courthouse on April 9 in Seminole, Happens Next Public health authorities are intensifying vaccination campaigns and contact tracing efforts across affected states. Several states have successfully contained earlier outbreaks, including Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, after six weeks without new cases, demonstrating effective containment strategies. The outbreak's trajectory depends on vaccination uptake in affected communities and successful isolation of infectious cases. Health officials continue monitoring international travel patterns, as the CDC reported more than twice as many measles cases originated from international travel compared to the same period last year. Reporting from the Associated Press contributed to this article.
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Cardiologists Swear by This Nightly Habit To Reduce Hypertension originally appeared on Parade. According to Million Hearts, nearly half of adults (119.9M) have hypertension, which is categorized as a blood pressure of 140/90 or higher. And of that number, only about one in four of them have it under control, according to the CDC. If you have hypertension, then it's likely your doctor has either prescribed lifestyle changes, medication or perhaps a combination of both to lower your blood pressure to a healthier range. Speaking of lifestyle changes, nighttime habits can fall into that category and can potentially make a difference in your blood pressure. Ahead, we spoke with cardiologists about a nightly habit they swear by to reduce hypertension. Hint: you may already be doing it. 🩺SIGN UP for tips to stay healthy & fit with the top moves, clean eats, health trends & more delivered right to your inbox twice a week💊 According to , an interventional cardiologist and regional chief medical officer at VitalSolution and Ingenovis Health, when it comes to reducing hypertension, it can be incredibly helpful to focus on sleep hygiene. "A consistent nightly routine, especially focusing on sleep hygiene, can make a significant difference," Dr. Kalra says. "Sleep plays a crucial role in regulating stress hormones like cortisol and the body's ability to manage these hormones is compromised when sleep-deprived, which can lead to elevated blood pressure." Related: Aside from elevating blood pressure, Dr. Kalra adds that insufficient sleep can also impact other lifestyle choices such as diet and exercise, which can further pose a potential risk to cardiovascular health. According to the National Institute of Health, adults are recommended to get between seven and nine hours of sleep per night. If you're getting less than that, then you're not only putting yourself at risk for hypertension, but also memory issues, headaches, slow reaction times, fatigue, daytime sleepiness, anxiety and depression. Here's how to improve your sleep hygiene: One of the simplest but most effective sleep hygiene rules is to keep your bedroom cool and dark. Our bodies naturally lower in temperature as we fall asleep, so a cooler environment can help signal to your brain that it's time to rest. Darkness is important too: Exposure to light can suppress melatonin production (the hormone that regulates your sleep-wake cycle). Blackout curtains, eye masks and dimming lights an hour before bed can all make a big difference. Dr. Mohanakrishnan Sathyamoorthy, MD, a board-certified cardiologist and chair of internal medicine at Burnett School of Medicine at TCU, says engaging in calming activities before bed may help you get more restful sleep. "Reading a book, listening to calming music, and trying to avoid phone use at bedtime will help ensure not only a good night's sleep, but may have a beneficial and positive impact on blood pressure," Dr. Sathyamoorthy tells Parade. "All of these interventions work by reducing what we call the sympathetic nervous system and help accentuate parasympathetic function which is the resting side of the central nervous system." When it comes to reducing hypertension, the cardiologists we spoke with noted how important it is to watch what you're eating and drinking. For starters, Dr. Kalra recommends steering clear of alcohol and nicotine, especially before bedtime. "Nighttime alcohol can acutely increase nocturnal heart rate, disrupt autonomic regulation and raise morning blood pressure," he says. Aside from alcohol, you'll want to avoid eating heavy meals at night, especially those with high-fat and high-sodium levels as these can disrupt sleep and negatively impact blood pressure. Related: If you're on blood pressure medication, then you'll want to make sure you take it as prescribed, especially if it's an evening medicine. "We cardiologists recommend taking at least one prescribed antihypertensive medication at bedtime rather than in the morning," says Dr. Kalra. "This approach, known as "chronotherapy," is supported by evidence from large randomized trials such as the Hygia Chronotherapy Trial, which demonstrated that bedtime dosing of antihypertensive medications leads to better nocturnal blood pressure control and a significant reduction in major cardiovascular events compared to morning dosing." If sleeplessness is a persistent issue for you, it could be worth it to see a sleep medicine some cases, there might be an underlying issue contributing to your lack of sleep such as restless leg syndrome, insomnia, or sleep apnea. "If you snore loudly or feel excessively tired during the day, talk to your cardiologist about the possibility of sleep apnea, a condition that can negatively impact blood pressure," says Dr. Kalra. Related:Why You Keep Waking Up in the Middle of the Night—and What Your Body's Trying To Tell You While getting into a sleep hygiene routine may help reduce hypertension, it may not be enough for some people. , board-certified cardiologist and director of clinical cardiology and prevention and wellness at National Jewish Health, says if your blood pressure regularly runs above 130/80 or you're experiencing symptoms like fatigue, vision changes or headaches, then it's time to see a doctor. Up Next:Dr. Andrew M. Freeman, MD, board-certified cardiologist and director of clinical cardiology and prevention and wellness at National Jewish Health Dr. Mohanakrishnan Sathyamoorthy, MD, board-certified cardiologist and chair of internal medicine at Burnett School of Medicine at TCU Dr. Nishant Kalra, MD, an interventional cardiologist and regional chief medical officer at VitalSolution and Ingenovis Health Cardiologists Swear by This Nightly Habit To Reduce Hypertension first appeared on Parade on Jul 5, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
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Cardiologists Swear by This Nightly Habit To Reduce Hypertension
Cardiologists Swear by This Nightly Habit To Reduce Hypertension originally appeared on Parade. According to Million Hearts, nearly half of adults (119.9M) have hypertension, which is categorized as a blood pressure of 140/90 or higher. And of that number, only about one in four of them have it under control, according to the CDC. If you have hypertension, then it's likely your doctor has either prescribed lifestyle changes, medication or perhaps a combination of both to lower your blood pressure to a healthier range. Speaking of lifestyle changes, nighttime habits can fall into that category and can potentially make a difference in your blood pressure. Ahead, we spoke with cardiologists about a nightly habit they swear by to reduce hypertension. Hint: you may already be doing it. 🩺SIGN UP for tips to stay healthy & fit with the top moves, clean eats, health trends & more delivered right to your inbox twice a week💊 According to , an interventional cardiologist and regional chief medical officer at VitalSolution and Ingenovis Health, when it comes to reducing hypertension, it can be incredibly helpful to focus on sleep hygiene. "A consistent nightly routine, especially focusing on sleep hygiene, can make a significant difference," Dr. Kalra says. "Sleep plays a crucial role in regulating stress hormones like cortisol and the body's ability to manage these hormones is compromised when sleep-deprived, which can lead to elevated blood pressure." Related: Aside from elevating blood pressure, Dr. Kalra adds that insufficient sleep can also impact other lifestyle choices such as diet and exercise, which can further pose a potential risk to cardiovascular health. According to the National Institute of Health, adults are recommended to get between seven and nine hours of sleep per night. If you're getting less than that, then you're not only putting yourself at risk for hypertension, but also memory issues, headaches, slow reaction times, fatigue, daytime sleepiness, anxiety and depression. Here's how to improve your sleep hygiene: One of the simplest but most effective sleep hygiene rules is to keep your bedroom cool and dark. Our bodies naturally lower in temperature as we fall asleep, so a cooler environment can help signal to your brain that it's time to rest. Darkness is important too: Exposure to light can suppress melatonin production (the hormone that regulates your sleep-wake cycle). Blackout curtains, eye masks and dimming lights an hour before bed can all make a big difference. Dr. Mohanakrishnan Sathyamoorthy, MD, a board-certified cardiologist and chair of internal medicine at Burnett School of Medicine at TCU, says engaging in calming activities before bed may help you get more restful sleep. "Reading a book, listening to calming music, and trying to avoid phone use at bedtime will help ensure not only a good night's sleep, but may have a beneficial and positive impact on blood pressure," Dr. Sathyamoorthy tells Parade. "All of these interventions work by reducing what we call the sympathetic nervous system and help accentuate parasympathetic function which is the resting side of the central nervous system." When it comes to reducing hypertension, the cardiologists we spoke with noted how important it is to watch what you're eating and drinking. For starters, Dr. Kalra recommends steering clear of alcohol and nicotine, especially before bedtime. "Nighttime alcohol can acutely increase nocturnal heart rate, disrupt autonomic regulation and raise morning blood pressure," he says. Aside from alcohol, you'll want to avoid eating heavy meals at night, especially those with high-fat and high-sodium levels as these can disrupt sleep and negatively impact blood pressure. Related: If you're on blood pressure medication, then you'll want to make sure you take it as prescribed, especially if it's an evening medicine. "We cardiologists recommend taking at least one prescribed antihypertensive medication at bedtime rather than in the morning," says Dr. Kalra. "This approach, known as "chronotherapy," is supported by evidence from large randomized trials such as the Hygia Chronotherapy Trial, which demonstrated that bedtime dosing of antihypertensive medications leads to better nocturnal blood pressure control and a significant reduction in major cardiovascular events compared to morning dosing." If sleeplessness is a persistent issue for you, it could be worth it to see a sleep medicine some cases, there might be an underlying issue contributing to your lack of sleep such as restless leg syndrome, insomnia, or sleep apnea. "If you snore loudly or feel excessively tired during the day, talk to your cardiologist about the possibility of sleep apnea, a condition that can negatively impact blood pressure," says Dr. Kalra. Related:Why You Keep Waking Up in the Middle of the Night—and What Your Body's Trying To Tell You While getting into a sleep hygiene routine may help reduce hypertension, it may not be enough for some people. , board-certified cardiologist and director of clinical cardiology and prevention and wellness at National Jewish Health, says if your blood pressure regularly runs above 130/80 or you're experiencing symptoms like fatigue, vision changes or headaches, then it's time to see a doctor. Up Next:Dr. Andrew M. Freeman, MD, board-certified cardiologist and director of clinical cardiology and prevention and wellness at National Jewish Health Dr. Mohanakrishnan Sathyamoorthy, MD, board-certified cardiologist and chair of internal medicine at Burnett School of Medicine at TCU Dr. Nishant Kalra, MD, an interventional cardiologist and regional chief medical officer at VitalSolution and Ingenovis Health Cardiologists Swear by This Nightly Habit To Reduce Hypertension first appeared on Parade on Jul 5, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
