According to reports, cases of measles outbreaks have been registered in several US states. The highest concentration of cases is observed in West Texas, from where the virus began spreading to other regions.
Health officials warn that this highly contagious virus can cause serious complications. These complications include pneumonia, encephalitis, the need for hospitalization, and death.
Most identified cases are linked to local spread of the infection, not international travel.
Representatives of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention emphasized that vaccination remains the most effective method of preventing outbreaks. This helps protect vulnerable populations and maintain the country's measles elimination status.
A potentially new treatment for cervical precancer and two next-generation vaccines against typhoid and other intestinal infections may become available in India after the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) granted licenses for these technologies to Indian pharmaceutical firms.
If successful, these domestic products have the potential to increase the availability of affordable treatments and vaccines while reducing dependence on imported technologies. The technologies were transferred under the ICMR's 'Medical Innovations Patent Mitra' initiative, which aims to convert government-funded research into market-ready products for development, testing, and commercialization.
Among the transferred technologies is SHetA2, a potential treatment for Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN), a precancerous condition caused by prolonged Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection. If left untreated, CIN can develop into cervical cancer, one of the leading types of cancer among women in India. Unlike surgical removal of abnormal cells, SHetA2 is designed to selectively destroy HPV-infected abnormal cells while preserving healthy cells. Scientists believe this could offer women a safer and less invasive treatment method in the future. This technology was licensed to Emcure Pharmaceuticals for further development, clinical trials, and commercialization.
Furthermore, ICMR has licensed two vaccine technologies developed by its National Institute of Bacterial Infections Research (NIRBI) in Kolkata to the company Biological E. One is a next-generation vaccine against typhoid fever, and the other is intended to protect against typhoid, paratyphoid, and shigella—bacteria that cause severe diarrhea and other intestinal infections, especially in children. These vaccine candidates will now undergo further evaluation and development before they can be considered for regulatory approval and public use.
Dr. Rajiv Bal, Secretary of the Department of Medical Research and CEO of ICMR, noted that collaboration between researchers and industry helps move promising discoveries from laboratories to patients, strengthening India's biomedical innovation ecosystem. The technology transfer is part of ICMR's broader efforts to support domestic medical innovations through patent protection, technology licensing, clinical validation, and regulatory facilitation to ensure the accessibility of medicines and vaccines for patients.
Every year on July 25th is World IVF Day, which aims to raise public awareness about this medical procedure. In recent years, the number of people seeking help through IVF has significantly increased, allowing it to change the lives of millions of people struggling with infertility. However, IVF is not a universal solution for every woman trying to conceive.
The recommendation for IVF is given after a comprehensive medical examination of both partners if it is determined that the probability of conception through standard methods is extremely low. IVF can be effective for women with blocked or damaged fallopian tubes, severe endometriosis, as well as for couples where the man has semen issues, such as low sperm count or poor sperm motility.
Even if the cause of fertility problems remains unclear, and conception does not occur after methods such as ovulation stimulation or intrauterine insemination (IUI), IVF may be beneficial.
Dr. Tanya Rokhatgi, Director of the Fertility and IVF Department at Max Hospital in Panchsheel Park, explained that a woman is born with a reserve of eggs numbering about 10–20 million. The period of highest fertility is from the age of 20 to 25, after which it gradually declines, with a more noticeable drop occurring after age 35.
According to Dr. Tanya, the probability of natural conception for women under a year is approximately 5–8 percent, whereas for women aged 20–25, this figure reaches 20–25 percent. Therefore, the optimal age for attempting to conceive is considered to be around 30 years old or earlier.
Dr. Tanya also emphasized that men's biological clocks develop slower and more stably than women's, but this does not rule out fertility problems. Furthermore, male factors are involved in conception problems in approximately 40 percent of couples facing difficulties. Nevertheless, society often mistakenly believes that the inability to conceive is solely the woman's fault.
Couples need to know their timeframes: if a woman is under 35 and has been unable to conceive after a year of regular attempts, or if she is over 35 and has been unable to conceive within six months, it is time to consult a fertility specialist. Simple tests on both partners can help quickly identify problems, after which the doctor may recommend IVF. Moreover, to achieve the best results, it is recommended to undergo IVF before reaching the age of 40.
