Category: Diseases and injuries

April: A Month for Observances and Remembrance

In this post I start with a mention of April Fools’ Day, with its origins traced back to Renaissance Europe. More solemn days in April include Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Easter, commemorating notable events in Christianity. Additionally, April 19 marks the anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing, a tragic event in U.S. history. And I list various health observances. Enjoy reading.

Were you the victim or the perpetrator of an April Fool’s Day prank this year?

Scan your favorite newspapers or news websites, and you’ll likely see some suspicious headlines. Read further, and you’ll probably find that some of those stories are complete hoaxes. After all, it’s April Fools’ Day.

But where do we get the strange custom of playing pranks on April 1? The short answer is that nobody knows for sure. All we know is that the custom was known in Renaissance Europe, and probably has roots older than that.

You may, or may not, learn more from this article from the Library of Congress-no April’s Fool.

April Fools: The Roots of an International Tradition

The Christian Holy Week

Palm Sunday, a special day in the Christian faith, in 2025 is on April 13.

Image of Jesus riding a donkey into Jerusalem, from LIGHTSTOCK.COM, affiliate link

Palm Sunday, April 13, recalls the story in the New Testament of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, greeted by people waving palm branches. (John chapter 12)

On April 18 Christians observe the Friday before Easter as “Good Friday”, although the events remembered are dark and somber. On this day, as recorded in the New Testament, Jesus Christ was crucified on a cross, died, and was buried.

Thus, a cross became the best-known symbol of Christianity.

Easter, April 20, and Christmas are the most observed holy days for Christians, although many celebrate them as secular holidays.

Easter marks the Resurrection of Jesus three days after his death by crucifixion on Good Friday. For Christian churches, Easter is the joyful end to the Lenten season of fasting and penitence.

Some Christian faiths observe these on different dates.

April 19-remembering Oklahoma City, 30 years ago

April 19 always occurs between April 18 and April 20. But this year it falls between Good Friday and Easter.

On April 19, 1995, a domestic terrorist left a bomb in a truck in front of the federal building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

(I lived there for 7 years while I was in medical school and residency at the University of Oklahoma. )

168 people died, including 19 children.

Until 9/11/2001, it was the greatest loss of life due to terrorism on U.S. soil. I remains the worst domestic terrorist tragedy in this country.

The incident was shocking and traumatic to our entire country but especially here in our state. Oklahoma is usually a peaceful place; we deal with tornadoes and floods but not bombings.

So every year we remember the victims, their families, and especially those who rescued the wounded, and the survivors who rebuilt their lives.

The Survivor Tree
The Survivor Tree -This tree standing in a parking lot across from the Murrah Federal Building survived the 1995 bombing. Today it stands next to the Nation Memorial Museum.
photo by Dr. Aletha

Health Observances in April

Alcohol Awareness Month

Autism Awareness Month

Child Abuse Prevention Month

Donate Life Month

Earth Day-April 22

This year is the 55th anniversary of the first Earth Day in 1970.

The theme for Earth Day 2025 is OUR POWER, OUR PLANET.

Organizers invite everyone around the globe to unite behind renewable energy. They propose a goal to triple the global generation of clean electricity by 2030.

Cover image

Cherry Blossoms around the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C., by photographer Carol Highsmith, used by permission, from the Library of Congress

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    How to be Aware and Prepared for Measles

    My home state Oklahoma confirmed its first two measles cases on March 11, 2025, linked to outbreaks in neighboring Texas and New Mexico. This is added to outbreaks in at least 12 other states. Viruses don’t recognize state lines or international borders, so everyone needs to be aware and prepared for its arrival.

    I live in Oklahoma, and depending on where you live you may or may not know where that is.

    My state lies in the south-central part of the United States, often called the Plains. You may be familiar with Texas, a large state that shares its southern border with Mexico.

    Oklahoma shares its southern border with Texas. We also border five other states-Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, and New Mexico.

    With measles cases reported in Texas and New Mexico, it’s not surprising it has crossed over into Oklahoma. Rather, people infected with the measles virus have crossed over.

    According to the CDC,

    “As of March 6, 2025, a total of 222 measles cases were reported by 12 jurisdictions: Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, and Washington.”

    Why should you care? Lots of people will travel over Spring Break, which starts here next week. In two months schools close for the summer and families travel on vacations. When people travel, the viruses they carry go with them.

    More states, and maybe countries, may join the list of measles outbreaks. Here is the report from Oklahoma Voice about the infections in my home state.

    First measles cases reported in Oklahoma, but public health officials remain mum on details

    by Emma Murphy, Oklahoma Voice
    March 11, 2025

    OKLAHOMA CITY — State health officials on Tuesday ( March 11, 2025) said they’ve confirmed the first two cases of measles in Oklahoma amid an ongoing outbreak in Texas and New Mexico.

    But Oklahoma State Health Department officials did not share where in Oklahoma those cases were diagnosed or how old the individuals are.

    They said they believe the exposures were associated with the outbreak in Texas and New Mexico, which is confirmed to have killed one child and sickened over 250 people.

    Erica Rankin, a spokesperson for the state health department, said Oklahoma’s two cases present “no further risk to public safety.” The agency only releases geographic information about measles cases when there is a “public health risk” and all potential exposures cannot be identified. Three or more related cases is considered an outbreak, she said. 

    It was unclear Tuesday afternoon whether the individuals were vaccinated against the measles.

    Health officials did say the two cases are unrelated to an erroneous report of measles in Bartlesville on March 4. The two confirmed cases have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and are under investigation.

    With outbreaks in neighboring states, the Oklahoma Health Department, or OSDH, has been on “high alert” and monitoring for cases in the state, according to a statement from the department. 

    “If a measles case is identified, the OSDH team will work with the individual on next steps and guidance to mitigate the spread and protect others. If there is a risk of spread to the public, the OSDH will notify the public and share any information necessary to protect the health of Oklahomans.”

    “These cases highlight the importance of being aware of measles activity as people travel or host visitors. When people know they have exposure risk and do not have immunity to measles, they can exclude themselves from public settings for the recommended duration to eliminate the risk of transmission in their community.”

    per Kendra Dougherty, the Health Department’s director of Infectious Disease Prevention and Response

    Prevention

    Measles can be prevented with an MMR vaccine which is recommended for children at 12 to 15 months of age and again at 4 to 6 years old. Receiving two doses of the vaccine is about 97% effective at preventing measles, and one dose is about 93% effective, the Health Department reported in a statement. 

    Almost 92% of Oklahoma kindergartners were up to date on their MMR vaccines, according to the 2023-24 Oklahoma Kindergarten Immunization Survey. 

    The department recommended that individuals with known exposure to measles who are not immune through vaccination or prior infection consult with a health care provider and “exclude themselves from public settings for 21 days unless symptoms develop.” 

    To confirm a report of measles, the case must show symptoms and have a test confirming the diagnosis. 

    This story is republished under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.

    Oklahoma Voice is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Oklahoma Voice maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Janelle Stecklein for questions: info@oklahomavoice.com.

    Measles elsewhere

    Here are links to stories about the ongoing outbreaks of measles in New Mexico and Texas.

    Growing NM measles cases ‘not a rapidly expanding outbreak,’ DOH says
    Texas Measles Outbreak Nears 100 Cases, Raising Concerns About Undetected Spread

    CDC Key Points about Measles

    • Measles is very contagious and can be serious.
    • Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk.
      • Two doses of MMR vaccine provide the best protection against measles.
    Measles is highly contagious.

    Exploring the HEART of Health

    I’d love for you to follow this blog. I share information and inspiration to help you transform challenges into opportunities for learning and growth.

    Add your name to the subscribe box to be notified of new posts by email. Click the link to read the post and browse other content. It’s that simple. No spam.

    I enjoy seeing who is new to Watercress Words. When you subscribe, I will visit your blog or website. Thanks and see you next time.

    Dr. Aletha

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