Rodney Muhumuza in Kampala, Uganda, and Giovanna Dell’Orto in Vatican City contributed.
and Canada. In Mexico, cases have been concentrated in the— long skeptical of vaccines and
— in the northern border state of Chihuahua.Officials say results of their campaign alongside Mennonite leaders have been mixed — they cite tens of thousands of new vaccinations in Chihuahua, but infections have ballooned and spread past the community to Indigenous and other populations.Mexico is battling its worst measles outbreak in decades, with cases surging in the northern border state of Chihuahua, home to a large Mennonite community wary of vaccines. As infections rise across North America, officials say misinformation and deep-seated distrust of authorities are fueling the crisis. (AP Video: Martín Silva Rey)
Federal officials have documented 922 cases and one death in Chihuahua. Officials, health workers and local leaders say the numbers are likely underestimated, and misinformation about vaccines and endemic distrust of authorities are their biggest obstacles.Pressed against the fringes of the small northern city of Cuauhtemoc, the Mennonite settlement here spans about 40 kilometers (25 miles). With 23,000 residents, it’s one of Cuauhtemoc’s primary economic engines, but it’s an isolated place where families keep to themselves. Some have turned to social media and anti-vaccine websites for research. Others use little technology but visit family in the United States, where they also hear misinformation — which then spreads through word of mouth.
Chihuahua is a particularly worrisome place, officials say — as a border state, the risk that the preventable disease will continue spreading internationally and affect the most vulnerable is high.
“We have a massive flow of people,” said Alexis Hernández, a Cuauhtemoc health official. “That makes things a lot more complicated.”When Sonya Islam was too tired to crawl out of bed for suhoor as a child, her mother would bring her a banana and a glass of milk. Now a dietician at VCU Health, she sees the wisdom in that meal: a combination of fiber and protein.
“Having sustained fuel that can last for as long as possible is critical,” she said.This article is part of AP’s Be Well coverage, focusing on wellness, fitness, diet and mental health.
She suggests foods with healthy fats in them — like avocados and nuts — as well as high-fiber, hydrating vegetables and fruits. Sugary foods aren’t the best idea since they digest quickly and can trigger cravings.While that cup of coffee or tea may be tempting, experts say it’s best to fight the urge. Instead, hydrate with water and non-caffeinated drinks.