A third US measles outbreak this year has put global health officials on alert and triggered a warning to those planning travel to affected states.
The virus was officially eliminated from the US in 2000 but cases brought into the country from overseas have since has led to a rise in infections. Last year, 285 cases of measles were recorded but less than three months into this year, 378 infections had already been confirmed by March 20.
In a nation of 347 million people, those numbers might appear insignificant but still represent a major increase in 12 months, from the 107 cases in the first three months of 2024.
Eliminating measles from the US was marked as a historic public health achievement. That work is now under threat from rising vaccine hesitancy and social media misinformation.
Vaccine coverage rates vary significantly between US states but a total of 18 jurisdictions nationwide reported incidents of measles by March this year.
“Since the start of the year, we’ve seen a sharp rise in measles cases reported in the US, with two deaths so far – many of these cases are in Texas,” said Janeen Madan Keller, deputy director of Global Health Policy Programme at the Centre for Global Development, told The National.
“Across the US, the coverage rate of the measles, mumps and rubella [MMR] vaccine among kindergarteners has been declining in recent years. It is now below the target coverage rate of 95 per cent, with significant variation across communities.”
Plunging vaccination coverage
Falling US immunisation rates could have far-reaching effects on the rest of the world, Ms Madan Keller said.
“First, this could influence public perception on vaccines, extending far beyond the US,” she added. “Second, as we’ve learnt, an infectious disease outbreak quickly travels across international borders. As measles vaccination rates decline in the US, there is a higher chance of outbreaks linked to travel.”
The MMR vaccine, proven to be safe, has been circulated widely since the early 1970s, preventing millions of infections around the world. Symptoms of the virus include a cough, fever and blotchy skin rash. In severe cases, measles can lead to pneumonia and encephalitis, a brain infection.
When more than 95 per cent of a population is vaccinated, most people are protected through herd immunity. But when those rates begin to decline, infections begin to creep up. In the US, vaccination among preschool-aged children slipped from 95.2 per cent in the 2019-20 school year to 92.7 per cent in 2023-24.
Outbreaks are defined as three or more related cases. So far in 2025, there have been three outbreaks in the US, with younger people the most vulnerable.
This year, 17 per cent of US cases have been resulted in hospital stays, with 42 per cent of those with measles aged five-19, and 33 per cent under five.
A resurgence of measles after aggressive global anti-vaccine campaigns prompted the World Health Organisation (WHO) to name vaccine hesitancy as one of the greatest global health threats. Political persuasion can also affect effective immunisation campaigns.
Funding cuts
Since President Donald Trump took office for a second term, he has pulled the US out of the WHO and stopped funding for Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance – a global health partnership that aims to increase immunisation in developing nations. Previously, the US provided about 13 per cent of Gavi's funding.
Natasha Crowcroft, a senior technical adviser on measles and rubella at the WHO, said funding cuts could affect global action to limit the spread of new infections.
“The US withdrawal [from the WHO] is having a major impact on the ability to support global measles and rubella elimination efforts,” she said. “The US funds the entire measles prevention system at global and regional levels, and much of the support that can be provided to countries in need.
“This includes funding for leadership and expertise, vaccination programmes, tracking of measles cases, response to outbreaks and the entire global measles and rubella laboratory network of more than 760 labs around the world.”
US funding has helped support measles elimination in 40 per cent of the world’s countries, Ms Crowcroft said, which helped keep a lid on further infections. Measles anywhere in the world is a risk where immunisation coverage is below 95 per cent.
Currently, the global coverage rate of the first dose of the measles vaccine is 83 per cent and the second dose is 74 per cent, contributing to outbreaks worldwide. In total, about one in four children are not fully vaccinated against measles.
In 2025, a number of global campaigns are planned to reach unimmunised children with measles vaccines in Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Ethiopia and Pakistan.
“The reduction of WHO support threatens the quality of those campaigns, increasing the risk they are delayed or don’t reach all children at risk,” said Ms Crowcroft. “We anticipate seeing increasing cases, outbreaks and deaths from measles as a result.”
In the UAE, a campaign partnership between Emirates Health Services, Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre and Dubai Health Authority was launched in November to boost vaccination rates and support a global goal of eliminating the disease by 2030.
Dr Mamata Bothra, specialist paediatrician and neonatologist at International Modern Hospital in Dubai, said anyone travelling to the US should plan accordingly.
“Measles is not a simple infection and can be fatal,” she said. “After Covid, there was a break in vaccinations of some children. Since then, some parents no longer consider vaccination as that important. We are seeing many unvaccinated patients, not because the government facilities or health facilities are not giving them, but because parents are not taking them seriously.
“When we have large numbers of patients unvaccinated, the risk of measles rises. Anybody travelling to the US should check to see their child is fully vaccinated [against measles]. You should not go to crowded places when you hear there's an outbreak, and if your child is having fever and rash, immediately see a doctor.”
Social media impact
Research by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found social media has contributed to misinformation around vaccines and their effectiveness.
Results published in the British Medical Journal found misinformation surrounding a number of vaccines, including childhood inoculations, HPV, Covid-19 and flu. Researchers at the university said simply banning misinformation on social media could backfire by driving people towards even less accurate sources of information.
Efforts at debunking were also found to have had mixed results. While countering misinformation, they have the potential to deepen false beliefs. Effective messaging should include addressing reasons for hesitancy, while reinforcing cultural values, such as free choice and family protection, while building on trust, researchers say.
“Social media platforms are the epicentre of misinformation – they also need to be part of the solution,” said Kai Ruggeri, study author and professor of health policy and management at Columbia's Mailman School.
“Misinformation is not new and its noxious consequences are not insurmountable, but its effect on vaccine hesitancy through social media is an urgent global threat to public health.”
The Greatest Royal Rumble card as it stands
The Greatest Royal Rumble card as it stands
50-man Royal Rumble - names entered so far include Braun Strowman, Daniel Bryan, Kurt Angle, Big Show, Kane, Chris Jericho, The New Day and Elias
Universal Championship Brock Lesnar (champion) v Roman Reigns in a steel cage match
WWE World Heavyweight ChampionshipAJ Styles (champion) v Shinsuke Nakamura
Intercontinental Championship Seth Rollins (champion) v The Miz v Finn Balor v Samoa Joe
United States Championship Jeff Hardy (champion) v Jinder Mahal
SmackDown Tag Team Championship The Bludgeon Brothers (champions) v The Usos
Raw Tag Team Championship (currently vacant) Cesaro and Sheamus v Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt
Casket match The Undertaker v Chris Jericho
Singles match John Cena v Triple H
Cruiserweight Championship Cedric Alexander v tba
if you go
The flights
Emirates flies to Delhi with fares starting from around Dh760 return, while Etihad fares cost about Dh783 return. From Delhi, there are connecting flights to Lucknow.
Where to stay
It is advisable to stay in Lucknow and make a day trip to Kannauj. A stay at the Lebua Lucknow hotel, a traditional Lucknowi mansion, is recommended. Prices start from Dh300 per night (excluding taxes).
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Hales' batting career
Tests 11; Runs 573; 100s 0; 50s 5; Avg 27.38; Best 94
ODIs 58; Runs 1,957; 100s 5; 50s 11; Avg 36.24; Best 171
T20s 52; Runs 1,456; 100s 1; 50s 7; Avg 31.65; Best 116 not out
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
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Normcore explained
Something of a fashion anomaly, normcore is essentially a celebration of the unremarkable. The term was first popularised by an article in New York magazine in 2014 and has been dubbed “ugly”, “bland’ and "anti-style" by fashion writers. It’s hallmarks are comfort, a lack of pretentiousness and neutrality – it is a trend for those who would rather not stand out from the crowd. For the most part, the style is unisex, favouring loose silhouettes, thrift-shop threads, baseball caps and boyish trainers. It is important to note that normcore is not synonymous with cheapness or low quality; there are high-fashion brands, including Parisian label Vetements, that specialise in this style. Embraced by fashion-forward street-style stars around the globe, it’s uptake in the UAE has been relatively slow.
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Profile of MoneyFellows
Founder: Ahmed Wadi
Launched: 2016
Employees: 76
Financing stage: Series A ($4 million)
Investors: Partech, Sawari Ventures, 500 Startups, Dubai Angel Investors, Phoenician Fund
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Director: Michael Bay
Stars: Ryan Reynolds, Adria Arjona, Dave Franco
2.5 / 5 stars
Financial considerations before buying a property
Buyers should try to pay as much in cash as possible for a property, limiting the mortgage value to as little as they can afford. This means they not only pay less in interest but their monthly costs are also reduced. Ideally, the monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 20 per cent of the purchaser’s total household income, says Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching.
“If it’s a rental property, plan for the property to have periods when it does not have a tenant. Ensure you have enough cash set aside to pay the mortgage and other costs during these periods, ideally at least six months,” she says.
Also, shop around for the best mortgage interest rate. Understand the terms and conditions, especially what happens after any introductory periods, Ms Glynn adds.
Using a good mortgage broker is worth the investment to obtain the best rate available for a buyer’s needs and circumstances. A good mortgage broker will help the buyer understand the terms and conditions of the mortgage and make the purchasing process efficient and easier.
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Essentials
The flights
Whether you trek after mountain gorillas in Rwanda, Uganda or the Congo, the most convenient international airport is in Rwanda’s capital city, Kigali. There are direct flights from Dubai a couple of days a week with RwandAir. Otherwise, an indirect route is available via Nairobi with Kenya Airways. Flydubai flies to Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, via Entebbe in Uganda. Expect to pay from US$350 (Dh1,286) return, including taxes.
The tours
Superb ape-watching tours that take in all three gorilla countries mentioned above are run by Natural World Safaris. In September, the company will be operating a unique Ugandan ape safari guided by well-known primatologist Ben Garrod.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, local operator Kivu Travel can organise pretty much any kind of safari throughout the Virunga National Park and elsewhere in eastern Congo.
ONCE UPON A TIME IN GAZA
Starring: Nader Abd Alhay, Majd Eid, Ramzi Maqdisi
Directors: Tarzan and Arab Nasser
Rating: 4.5/5
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
In Search of Mary Shelley: The Girl Who Wrote Frankenstein
By Fiona Sampson
Profile
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The biog
Name: Ayisha Abdulrahman Gareb
Age: 57
From: Kalba
Occupation: Mukrema, though she washes bodies without charge
Favourite things to do: Visiting patients at the hospital and give them the support they need.
Role model: Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation and President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood.
UJDA CHAMAN
Produced: Panorama Studios International
Directed: Abhishek Pathak
Cast: Sunny Singh, Maanvi Gagroo, Grusha Kapoor, Saurabh Shukla
Rating: 3.5 /5 stars
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Essentials
The flights
Etihad (etihad.ae) and flydubai (flydubai.com) fly direct to Baku three times a week from Dh1,250 return, including taxes.
The stay
A seven-night “Fundamental Detox” programme at the Chenot Palace (chenotpalace.com/en) costs from €3,000 (Dh13,197) per person, including taxes, accommodation, 3 medical consultations, 2 nutritional consultations, a detox diet, a body composition analysis, a bio-energetic check-up, four Chenot bio-energetic treatments, six Chenot energetic massages, six hydro-aromatherapy treatments, six phyto-mud treatments, six hydro-jet treatments and access to the gym, indoor pool, sauna and steam room. Additional tests and treatments cost extra.
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New schools in Dubai
Yahya Al Ghassani's bio
Date of birth: April 18, 1998
Playing position: Winger
Clubs: 2015-2017 – Al Ahli Dubai; March-June 2018 – Paris FC; August – Al Wahda
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
Cherry
Directed by: Joe and Anthony Russo
Starring: Tom Holland, Ciara Bravo
1/5
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