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The Americas have been on course to officially eliminate measles and be the first region in the world to do this. But, according to an alert issued by The Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) and the WHO, the goal of long term elimination of the killer childhood disease in the region is now facing ‘major challenges’ as a result of recent outbreaks of the virus in the US and Brazil.
In Brazil there have been 700 cases during the last two years, and in the United States there have been more than 120 cases since January. Six hundred and forty cases were reported in the US in 2014, which is the highest annual number since the turn of the century. Dr Desiree Pastor, PAHO’S Measles Immunisation Advisor, explains that not enough infants in parts of those countries are being immunised with the recommended MMR vaccine.

Sub-zero napping
People in Finland, young and old, have learned to cope with cold winters for thousands of years. It is common practice to wrap up babies very warmly and let them have their afternoon nap outside. The theory is that it hardens them against the cold, they are less likely to catch coughs and cold and that they sleep better and longer than indoors. Ilpo Salonen reports on this long standing Nordic tradition.

Cancer and eating
Undergoing cancer treatment often makes eating difficult, yet having a good balanced diet is really important for cancer patients in order to overcome their illness. This week Andrew Luck-Baker visits one of the world’s top cancer hospitals, the Royal Marsden in London, and was there when one of its patients, Simon Drummond Brady, took his first taste of food for a month. What got him to do it was a recipe from the Royal Marsden Cancer Cook Book, which has just been published this week. It is filled with recipes from professional and celebrity chefs, and edited by the hospital’s consultant dietician Dr Clare Shaw.

(Photo: Measles vaccine. Credit: Getty Images)