Manitoba becomes ground zero in Canada's measles crisis; Symptoms and treatment
IANS
Diplomatic delegation, including four Canadians, seeks cover as Israeli troops fire warning shots during a tour in Jenin, West Bank
A highly contagious and potentially deadly disease, thought to be nearly eliminated from Canada, has returned with alarming speed. Manitoba is under threat as it faces a surge in measles cases, marking the province's most substantial outbreak in decades.
Health officials have confirmed 60 cases as of now, with four additional probable cases under investigation. The outbreak, which began with the first reported case in February, has seen a rapid escalation, with 42 new cases identified in May alone.
Also Read: Measles outbreak in AlbertaExperts warn that the actual number of infections may be higher due to delays between infection and laboratory confirmation.Epidemiologist Cynthia Carr emphasized the contagious nature of measles, stating, 'This virus is very good at spreading. As a reminder, it can stay in the air two hours after the person infected with measles has been in the room and left.'
Manitoba has expanded eligibility for the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine in response to the escalating situation.
Infants aged six months to under 12 months residing in the Southern Health-Santé Sud and Interlake Eastern Regional Health Authority regions, or those who travel regularly to and have close contact with residents of these areas, are eligible for an additional dose of the MMR vaccine.
Dr. Peter Hotez, a pediatrician and molecular virology professor at Baylor College of Medicine, highlighted the importance of vaccination in curbing the outbreak. 'The only way to stop the flow is to bolster herd immunity and get 90-95 per cent vaccination rates. The only way you're going to slow this down is by a catch-up measles vaccination campaign,' he said.
Also Read: US records over 800 confirmed cases of measles in 2025
According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, there have been 1,069 measles cases reported nationwide in 2025, with 885 cases linked to a multijurisdictional outbreak that began in New Brunswick in October 2024 and has since spread to Ontario, Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec. Public health officials continue to monitor the situation closely and urge residents to ensure their MMR vaccinations are up to date, as it remains the most effective tool in preventing the spread of measles.Measles is not just highly transmissible but also potentially severe. The complications can include ear infections, pneumonia, and in severe cases, encephalitis, which can lead to permanent brain damage or even death.Get vaccinated with the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine, which is highly effective in preventing infection. If exposed, monitor for symptoms like fever, rash, and white spots in the mouth, and contact a healthcare provider immediately—especially if you're unvaccinated, pregnant, or immunocompromised. Early medical care can reduce complications.
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The Hindu
2 hours ago
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More than 55,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel-Hamas war, Gaza health officials say
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The Ministry says 55,104 people have been killed since the start of the war and 127,394 wounded. Many more are believed to be buried under the rubble or in areas that are inaccessible to local medics. The figure did not include Wednesday's (June 11, 2025) deaths. The Health Ministry is part of Gaza's Hamas-run government, but staffed by medical professionals who maintain and publish detailed records. Its tolls from previous conflicts have largely aligned with those of independent experts, though Israel has questioned the ministry's figures. Also on Wednesday (June 11, 2025), Israel said forces recovered the remains of two additional hostages held in Gaza. Militants still hold 53 captives, less than half of them believed to be alive. Casualties at separate aid hubs, health officials say Health officials in Gaza said 14 people were killed while on their way to collect aid near the southern city of Rafah. Their bodies were taken to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. In central Gaza, Al-Awda Hospital said that seven additional people were killed while on their way to an aid distribution site. The Israeli military said troops fired warning shots before daylight toward people it identified as suspects 'who were advancing while posing a threat" in central Gaza. The military had no immediate comment on the reports of casualties in southern Gaza. Safaa Farmawi said her daughter, Ghazal Eyad (16), was killed while on her way to collect food in Rafah. 'My daughter and I went to get aid, she came before me, I looked for my daughter but couldn't find her. People told me your daughter was martyred,' Ms. Farmawi told the AP. Near-daily shootings have erupted as crowds make their way to aid sites run by a newly created aid group rejected by the United Nations. Palestinian witnesses to previous shootings have said Israeli forces fired toward the crowds. The military has acknowledged firing warning shots toward people it says approached its forces in a suspicious manner. The Foundation says there has been no violence in or around the distribution points. It has warned people to stay on the designated routes and recently paused delivery to discuss safety measures with the military. Foundation says some of its aid workers have been killed The GHF accused Hamas of attacking a bus carrying two dozen of its Palestinian workers who helped deliver aid. It said in a statement that at least five people died, multiple others were injured and it fears some may have been taken hostage. It said the attack happened as the team was heading to one of its aid distribution sites in the area west of Khan Younis. 'Our hearts are broken and our thoughts and prayers are with every victim, every family, and every person still unaccounted for,' the statement said. The AP could not confirm the Foundation's account. New aid system marred by chaos The aid system rolled out last month has been marred by chaos and violence, while a longstanding U.N.-run system has struggled to deliver food because of Israeli restrictions and a breakdown of law and order, despite Israel loosening a total blockade it imposed from early March to mid-May. Experts and human rights workers say hunger is widespread and that the territory of some 2 million Palestinians is at risk of famine if Israel does not fully lift its blockade and halt its military campaign, which it renewed in March after ending a ceasefire with Hamas. Israel says the new aid distribution system is designed to prevent Hamas from siphoning off aid, but U.N. agencies and major aid groups say there is no evidence of systematic diversion. 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More than half the captives have been released in ceasefires or other deals. Israeli forces have rescued eight and recovered the remains of dozens more. Hamas has said it will only release the remaining hostages in return for more Palestinian prisoners, a lasting ceasefire and a complete Israeli withdrawal. It has offered to hand over power to a politically independent Palestinian committee. but has not agreed to disarm. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected those terms, saying that Israel will only agree to temporary ceasefires to facilitate the return of hostages. He has vowed to continue the war until all the hostages are returned and Hamas is defeated or disarmed and sent into exile. Mr. Netanyahu says Israel will control Gaza indefinitely and facilitate what he refers to as the voluntary emigration of much of its population to other countries. The Palestinians and most of the international community reject such plans, viewing them as forcible expulsion that could violate international law.
Indian Express
3 hours ago
- Indian Express
More than 55,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel-Hamas war, Gaza health officials say Deir al-Balah (Gaza Strip)
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The ministry says 55,104 people have been killed since the start of the war and 127,394 wounded. Many more are believed to be buried under the rubble or in areas that are inaccessible to local medics. The figure did not include Wednesday's deaths. The Health Ministry is part of Gaza's Hamas-run government, but staffed by medical professionals who maintain and publish detailed records. Its tolls from previous conflicts have largely aligned with those of independent experts, though Israel has questioned the ministry's figures. Also Wednesday, Israel said forces recovered the remains of two additional hostages held in Gaza. Militants still hold 53 captives, less than half of them believed to be alive. Casualties at separate aid hubs, health officials say Health officials in Gaza said 14 people were killed while on their way to collect aid near the southern city of Rafah. Their bodies were taken to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. 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The military has acknowledged firing warning shots toward people it says approached its forces in a suspicious manner. The foundation says there has been no violence in or around the distribution points. It has warned people to stay on the designated routes and recently paused delivery to discuss safety measures with the military. Foundation says some of its aid workers have been killed The GHF accused Hamas of attacking a bus carrying two dozen of its Palestinian workers who helped deliver aid. It said in a statement that at least five people died, multiple others were injured and it fears some may have been taken hostage. It said the attack happened as the team was heading to one of its aid distribution sites in the area west of Khan Younis. 'Our hearts are broken and our thoughts and prayers are with every victim, every family, and every person still unaccounted for,' the statement said. The AP could not confirm the foundation's account. New aid system marred by chaos The aid system rolled out last month has been marred by chaos and violence, while a longstanding UN-run system has struggled to deliver food because of Israeli restrictions and a breakdown of law and order, despite Israel loosening a total blockade it imposed from early March to mid-May. Experts and human rights workers say hunger is widespread and that the territory of some 2 million Palestinians is at risk of famine if Israel does not fully lift its blockade and halt its military campaign, which it renewed in March after ending a ceasefire with Hamas. Israel says the new aid distribution system is designed to prevent Hamas from siphoning off aid, but U.N. agencies and major aid groups say there is no evidence of systematic diversion. They say the new system violates humanitarian principles by allowing Israel to control who receives aid and by encouraging more mass displacement as Palestinians seek access to just three operational sites, two of them in the territory's southernmost city of Rafah, now a mostly uninhabited military zone. Israel recovers remains of 2 more hostages: Israeli authorities identified one of the hostages recovered as Yair Yaakov who was killed during the Oct 7, 2023, attack and whose body was taken into Gaza. His partner and two children were also taken captive and released in a ceasefire deal early in the war. The second hostage's identity was not disclosed. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the bodies were retrieved in a 'complex' operation without disclosing details. The Israeli military said they were recovered from Khan Younis. The war began when Hamas-led militants killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, in the Oct 7 attack and abducted 251 hostages. More than half the captives have been released in ceasefires or other deals. Israeli forces have rescued eight and recovered the remains of dozens more. Hamas has said it will only release the remaining hostages in return for more Palestinian prisoners, a lasting ceasefire and a complete Israeli withdrawal. It has offered to hand over power to a politically independent Palestinian committee. but has not agreed to disarm. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected those terms, saying that Israel will only agree to temporary ceasefires to facilitate the return of hostages. He has vowed to continue the war until all the hostages are returned and Hamas is defeated or disarmed and sent into exile. Netanyahu says Israel will control Gaza indefinitely and facilitate what he refers to as the voluntary emigration of much of its population to other countries. The Palestinians and most of the international community reject such plans, viewing them as forcible expulsion that could violate international law.
Mint
5 hours ago
- Mint
Israeli officers rebel against ‘illegal, unnecessary' Gaza war: ‘Designed to preserve Netanyahu's rule'
As Israel continues its relentless bombardment of Gaza while imposing starvation on its population, a few Israeli military officers have taken a stand against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's orders. Refusing to be complicit in the killing of 'innocent civilians,' they've openly rebelled against what they call an 'illegal and unnecessary' war. In a letter to Benjamin Netanyahu, the military intelligence officers have refused to be a part of the war any further. They said the 41 officers, who have signed the letter, would refuse to take part in a 'war designed to preserve the rule of Netanyahu' and appease 'anti-democratic and messianic elements in [his] government'. 'When a government acts for ulterior motives, harms civilians and leads to the killing of innocent people, the orders it issues are clearly illegal, and we must not obey them,' they said. They also accused the Israeli government of abandoning the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, saying many have already been killed by the IDF bombings. They said Israel risked the live of Israeli hostages when it chose to break the ceasefire. One of the intelligence officers told The Guardian, 'The hope is that as many people as possible will challenge the legitimacy of this operation and of this government. All the death is unnecessary. The hostages suffer and die. Soldiers are sent for nothing. And all the killing in Gaza, everything is completely unnecessary.' The Palestinian death toll from the 20-month Israel-Hamas war passed 55,000, the Gaza Health Ministry said Wednesday, and hospitals said at least 21 people were killed while on their way to aid distribution sites. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which operates the aid distribution sites, said at least five of its local aid workers were killed in an attack that it blamed on Hamas as they headed to one of the centers.
