2025 has already been marked by alarming health developments, with two significant outbreaks capturing the public’s attention. In Texas, a tragic measles death has raised concerns about the resurgence of preventable diseases, while the bird flu continues to spread across multiple regions, threatening both human and animal populations.

As these two health crises unfold, experts are calling for heightened awareness, vaccination efforts, and global cooperation to prevent further loss of life and control the spread of these dangerous diseases.

So far, the only confirmed state with the measles outbreak is Texas, which officials are warning about traveling to for safety reasons. With now 12 new cases of measles, 158 in general, 1 child being dead, and 20 more hospitalized, it’s hard to think this isn’t a serious pandemic that seems to be on the rise and quickly, and with bird flu continuing its reign, the worry only spikes, especially after finding out cattle is quick to get it, as well as household pets such as cats.

It’s also being said that the Center for Disease Control and Prevention are preparing for future outbreak scenarios. The cases seem to be mostly in Gaines County, which has 98 cases, with the most affected being 0-4 year olds with 46 cases.

All of these new cases raise the question of what the measles actually are… measles are a highly contagious respiratory illness, which can be transmitted by direct contact with infectious droplets or airborne spread, mostly when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes, which is why most suggest a mask for crowded places.

It can also remain infectious in the air for up to 2 hours after an infected person leaves an area. Symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, and red watery eyes; this all begins a week or two after someone happens to be exposed, after that, a telltale rash breaks out. Anyone who is infected should stay home from school or work, as it lasts for about 4 days before the rash appears.

The measles aren’t the only illness spreading around though, more and more cases of the bird flu are starting to pop up.

While bird flu originally started in the United States in 2022, during that time, it spread to wild birds, pigs, cats, cattle, and a growing number of people. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, only around 12,000 wild birds, 166 million poultry and 976 dairy herds have been affected, which is fortunate, but the spread is mostly in egg and milk supplies, which come from cattle and commercial products.

The first human case in the United States was in April 2022, which was 2 months after the virus was detected among turkeys in a commercial. 2 years later, in April 2024, the second human case—and first linked to dairy cattle—was reported in a dairy worker in Texas, it was what most believe was the first transmission of mammal to human. With the amount of people ill right now, professionals aren’t too sure where they got it, but the connection of all the infected is they all had contact or were exposed to sick animals.

This wasn’t the first time that bird flu made its appearance in the world: the first bird flu outbreak (or H5N1) was in Hong Kong in 1997, where 6 out of 18–all children—patients died. Then outbreaks in Thailand and Vietnam had mortality rates of 67% or higher. Fortunately for us, there have only been mild symptoms, but if we aren’t careful, with time, it can mutate with the way it jumps from species to species.

While these two illnesses aren’t too much of a risk and concern at the moment, it’s slandered protocol to remain six feet apart from each other and if you believe if you are going to an area where there are illnesses, then a mask would be beneficial. The less the spread, the better for us. For more ways and information on measles and bird flu, visit the Center for Disease Control.