CLEVELAND —
Measles cases keep climbing
Measles infections across the country continue to rise. New numbers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show more than 4,500 confirmed cases so far this year, more than double last year's total.
The past two weeks alone brought more than 500 new infections. That's more than the nation recorded from 2022 through 2024 combined.
Pennsylvania accounts for nearly 30% of all cases, and health officials there are finding the outbreak hard to contain. One infectious disease expert says the true number of cases is likely higher than what's been reported and is calling for early, intense public health action backed by more resources.
Florida faces largest dengue outbreak in decades
Florida is dealing with its largest dengue outbreak in decades. The state has counted nearly 750 cases this year, and more than half came from local mosquito bites, mostly in the Tampa area.
That makes it the biggest outbreak in the continental U.S. since 1935. The federal health agency has launched a Level 3 emergency response.
Mosquitoes capable of spreading dengue now reach as far north as Pennsylvania. There is no licensed dengue vaccine available in the U.S., so health experts say insect repellent and long sleeves remain the best protection.
Why Halloween scares feel so real
With a spooky Halloween weekend ahead, have you ever wondered why some things frighten you more than others? Experts at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center say both genetics and life experience shape how we respond to fear.
A fright triggers the fight-or-flight response in the amygdala, the brain's built-in threat detector. The frontal lobe then steps in to remind us we're safe.
In children, that part of the brain is still developing, so scares can feel much more real. Experts advise parents not to push kids past their comfort zone. Instead, acknowledge their fear and help them calm down.
For adults, the rush of a good scare and the calm that follows can actually help you feel more centered.