Inside Outbreaks: Tracking Measles, Deadly Fungus in Hospitals, and Over-the-Counter Ivermectin?!?

Inside Outbreaks: Measles, Deadly Fungus & the Ivermectin Debate

This week on Inside Outbreaks, Dr. Jay Varma and Dr. Jon Epstein tackle three urgent public health headlines: the explosive return of measles in the U.S., a dangerous and drug-resistant fungus spreading in hospitals, and Arkansas’ controversial decision to make ivermectin available without a prescription.

These stories illustrate how vaccine hesitancy, misinformation, and environmental disruption are combining to reshape the infectious disease landscape across America.

📌 In This Episode:

1. Measles Outbreak in the U.S.

• Once declared eliminated, measles is back—with 483 confirmed cases across 19 states
• Outbreak began in Texas, now spreading across New Mexico, Kansas, and more
• Genomic sequencing confirms these aren’t imported cases—they’re homegrown
• Measles is one of the most contagious viruses on Earth
• Unvaccinated individuals are overwhelmingly the source of new cases
• Key takeaway: Two doses of the MMR vaccine are still the best protection

🧬 “Sequencing helps us confirm whether these outbreaks are linked—or coming from overseas. In this case, they’re linked. This is local spread.” —Dr. Jon Epstein

2. Candida auris: A Deadly Fungus in U.S. Hospitals

• A drug-resistant fungus infecting vulnerable patients in hospitals and nursing homes
• Linked to up to 40% mortality in those infected
• Thrives on hospital surfaces, plastic devices (like catheters), and human skin
• Climate change may be fueling its emergence—fungi that survive higher temperatures can now infect humans

🌡️ “This fungus didn’t used to infect people—but now it does. Why? Possibly because the world is getting warmer.” —Dr. Jay Varma

3. Arkansas Approves Over-the-Counter Ivermectin

• Arkansas is now allowing ivermectin to be sold without a prescription
• Despite zero scientific evidence that ivermectin treats COVID-19
• Risks include drug resistance, toxicity, and misuse
• Misinformation is spreading faster than the virus itself

🚫 “This is modern-day snake oil. It’s unsafe, untested, and it puts people at risk while giving them false hope.” —Dr. Jay Varma

🧠 Expert Commentary

Dr. Varma and Dr. Epstein reflect on how:

• Public trust in medicine is eroding, even as disease threats grow
• Cuts to public health infrastructure are weakening outbreak detection
• Environmental change and misinformation are enabling new epidemics

🛡️ What You Can Do:

• ✅ Get vaccinated, especially for measles (MMR) if unsure of your status
• 🧪 Ask your doctor about antibody titers if you’re unsure about your protection
• 🏥 Be vigilant in hospitals—ask about infection control policies if you or a loved one is admitted
• 🚫 Don’t take medications without evidence-based guidance—ivermectin is not a COVID cure
• 📣 Support public health funding and science-based policies

🌐 Resources:

• Dr. Jon Epstein’s One Health Science
• CIDRAP: Measles in the U.S.
• LA Times: Fungal Threat in Hospitals
• Arkansas NPR: Ivermectin Legislation

📺 Watch the Full Episode:

Inside Outbreaks: Measles, Deadly Fungus & the Ivermectin Debate