Measles, a highly contagious virus, is making a comeback in the United States. It is causing concern among healthcare professionals. Until recently, many doctors had only seen measles in textbooks or photos.

In Texas, a significant outbreak has infected 481 people and tragically taken one child's life. This outbreak is part of a larger trend. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 607 confirmed cases nationwide this year. This is more than double the number of cases seen in all of 2024. The virus is spreading rapidly in some areas, and vaccination rates have been declining for years.

Many doctors, like Dr. Leila Myrick, had never encountered a measles case until recently. She is a family medicine doctor in Seminole, Texas. She has treated about 20 measles patients in the past few months. She is likely to see more cases as the outbreak continues to spread. Dr. Myrick remembers flipping through her textbooks to identify the characteristic red rash in photos. She had never seen it in real life.

The United States declared measles eliminated in 2000. However, cases still pop up around the country each year. Sometimes, these cases seed larger outbreaks. Public health experts are worried that measles could become more common in more places this year. The virus is spreading rapidly in some parts of the country, and vaccination rates nationwide have been falling for years.

Dr. Andy Lubell is the chief medical officer of True North Pediatrics in Pennsylvania. He noted that the generation of physicians currently treating patients hasn't actually seen what a measles case looks like. They have only seen it from a textbook or a video. This lack of firsthand experience can make diagnosing and treating measles more challenging. It highlights the importance of vaccination and public health education.

The measles outbreak is a reminder of the importance of vaccination. It is also a call to action for healthcare professionals to stay vigilant and informed. As the virus spreads, doctors like Dr. Myrick and Dr. Lubell are on the front lines. They are confronting a virus that many of their peers have never seen in person. Their experiences highlight the ongoing need for public health measures to control the spread of measles.

Measles: The Virus That Doctors Are Seeing for the First Time

In a big collaboration, Indonesia’s Base Entertainment and the Netherlands’ New Amsterdam are working together on two exciting new projects. They announced this at the first-ever JAFF Market, happening alongside the Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival in Yogyakarta.

First up is "Hemelrijk, " a limited series directed by Jim Taihuttu. You might know him from his past work with both companies on "De Oost" ("The East"). The second project is a movie based on Leila Chudori’s novel "Pulang" (Home).

Production for "Hemelrijk" is set to start in late 2025, while "Pulang" will begin development in early 2025. The announcement was made during a JAFF Market session that talked about the new co-production treaty between Indonesia and the Netherlands.

Shanty Harmayn, co-CEO of Base Entertainment, shared her excitement: "We’re thrilled to work again with Jim Taihuttu on 'Hemelrijk' and with New Amsterdam on these projects. Both tell powerful family stories that connect our cultures. We can’t wait to build on our past success with 'De Oost. '"

Sander Verdonk from New Amsterdam added, "It’s great to be back in Indonesia to shoot 'Hemelrijk' with Base Entertainment. And to develop and produce 'Pulang, ' one of Indonesia’s best novels by Leila Chudori. This will strengthen our nations’ ties, supported by the new treaty. "

LEILA CHUDORI

Measles: The Virus That Doctors Are Seeing for the First Time

Indonesia and the Netherlands Team Up for Two Big Projects