On Thursday, Uganda confirmed an outbreak of the Ebola virus in its capital city Kampala, with the first confirmed patient dying from it a day before. As per the new developments, the officials are now preparing to deploy a trial vaccine to put an end to this outbreak.

Groups of scientists are working on the vaccine and deployment of more than 2,000 doses of a candidate vaccine against the Sudan strain of Ebola has been planned and confirmed by the Uganda Virus Research Institute. As per the World Health Organization (WHO), Uganda has access to 2,169 doses of trial vaccine. For now, however, there are no approved vaccines for the strain and officials are still investigating the source of the outbreak.

The WHO had also allocated $1 million from its contingency fund for emergencies to support quick action and contain the outbreak in the country.

Confirmed Case

On Wednesday, the Sudan strain of Ebola killed a nurse employed at Kampala's main referral hospital. It is after his death that Ebola was declared an outbreak in the country. Post-mortem samples too have confirmed the Sudan Ebola Virus Disease and at least 44 contacts of the deceased man have been listed for tracing. 30 of these are health workers.

Ebola is a highly infectious hemorrhagic fever, which is transmitted through contact with bodily fluids and tissue. Symptoms include headache, vomiting of blood, muscle pains and bleeding.

it was in the late 2022, when Uganda had last suffered an Ebola outbreak. It killed 55 of the 143 people who were infected and was declared over on January 11, 2023.

What Is Ebola Virus Disease?

As per the WHO, Ebola virus disease (EVD) is a rare but severe illness in humans and is often fatal. People can get infected with the virus if they touch an infected animal when preparing food, or touch body fluids of an infected person such as saliva, urine, faeces or semen, or things that have body fluids of an infected person like clothes or sheets.

How Does Transmission Work?

Ebola enters the body through cuts in the skin or when one is touching their eyes, nose or mouth. Early symptoms include fever, fatigue and headache.

It was first discovered in 1976 in two simultaneous outbreak, when in Nzara, South Sudan and other in Yambuku, Democratic Republic of Congo. The latter occurred near a village near the Ebola River, which is where it gets its name from.

It is highly infectious and transmissible disease, in fact, there have been cases of health-care workers who have frequently been infected while treating patients with suspected or confirmed Ebola. This occurs through close contact with patients when infection control precautions are not practiced strictly.

Cases of people conducted burial ceremonies, involving direct contact with the body of the deceased too can lead to the transmission of Ebola. Even after the long suffering and recovery, there is a possibility of sexual transmission. Pregnant women who get acute Ebola and recover may still carry the virus in their breastmilk, or in pregnancy related fluids and tissues.

Symptoms:

• feeling tired
• headache
• muscle and joint pain
• eye pain and vision problems
• weight gain
• belly pain and loss of appetite
• hair loss and skin problems
• trouble sleeping
• memory loss
• hearing loss
• depression and anxiety

Long COVID—a debilitating condition that can persist for months or even years after a SARS-CoV-2 infection—may be preventable if treatment begins early, according to a new study.

Long COVID is an infection-associated chronic condition marked by fatigue, cognitive impairment, exercise intolerance, and multisystem dysfunction. It has affected an estimated 400 million people worldwide and continues to have significant health, social, and economic consequences. Despite the ongoing risk, prevention strategies have received relatively little attention.

Now, a landmark randomized trial, published in The Lancet, provides some of the strongest evidence to date that early treatment with the antiviral drug Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir–ritonavir) can reduce the risk of developing Long COVID by 40%. The treatment was effective when started during the acute phase of COVID-19.

“The message is profound: what happens in the first few days of COVID-19 may determine health for months—or even years,” said researchers from the University of California, San Francisco.

The researchers added that preventing Long COVID "may become the next frontier in COVID care."

Paxlovid combines two antiviral medicines—nirmatrelvir and ritonavir—and remains one of the most effective outpatient treatments for people at high risk of severe COVID-19.

What Did the Study Find?

Researchers conducted a randomized controlled trial in Norway involving patients with acute COVID-19. They found that a five-day course of nirmatrelvir–ritonavir significantly reduced the risk of Long COVID three months after infection.

For the study, Long COVID was defined as patient-reported fatigue, shortness of breath (dyspnea), or cognitive symptoms during the post-acute phase.

The findings provide some of the first randomized trial evidence that antiviral treatment during acute infection can lower the risk of Long COVID, supporting earlier observational studies.

Importantly, the trial was conducted during the circulation of successive Omicron subvariants, from XBB to LP.8.1, making the findings relevant to the current phase of the pandemic.

A notable finding was the high rate of Long COVID among participants. In the placebo group, 33 of 77 participants (43%) met the criteria for Long COVID despite widespread vaccine-derived immunity. While vaccination offers partial protection, the study suggests a substantial risk still remains.

Why Might Early Treatment Help?

The researchers suggest several biological mechanisms that may explain the protective effect of early antiviral treatment:

Reducing viral replication early may lower peak viral load and shorten viral shedding, both of which have been linked to Long COVID.

Early treatment may limit immune dysregulation, allowing the body's antiviral immune response to control the virus more effectively.

Treating the infection during its acute phase may prevent or reduce processes associated with Long COVID, including persistent SARS-CoV-2 infection, herpesvirus reactivation, and immune dysfunction.

The trial suggests that early viral replication may trigger "self-sustaining or persistent harmful biological processes" that contribute to Long COVID.

"Defining these relationships could yield predictive biomarkers and more targeted prevention strategies," the researchers noted.

Are There Any Side Effects of Paxlovid?

The researchers noted that nirmatrelvir–ritonavir commonly causes dysgeusia (altered taste), which may have influenced how some participants perceived their treatment and reported symptoms. They said future studies should evaluate this possibility and investigate antivirals with less distinctive side-effect profiles.

Other common side effects include diarrhea and high blood pressure (hypertension).

According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Paxlovid can also interact with several commonly used medications, including statins. Patients should discuss all prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, and supplements they are taking with their healthcare provider before starting treatment.

While the current study assessed participants three months after infection, the researchers said longer follow-up is needed to determine whether early antiviral treatment provides durable protection against Long COVID or simply accelerates recovery from acute illness. They also emphasized the need for larger studies to evaluate its impact on severe, disabling forms of Long COVID.

Millions of people with hypothyroidism depend on levothyroxine every day to replace the thyroid hormone their body cannot produce.

Now, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a nationwide recall of certain batches of levothyroxine sodium tablets after they were found to be subpotent, meaning they contain less active medication than stated on the label.

Experts caution that ingesting a lower-than-prescribed dose could allow hypothyroidism symptoms to return, particularly in vulnerable groups like pregnant women, infants, and people with thyroid cancer.

Why Did FDA Recall Levothyroxine?

The FDA has issued a Class II recall for specific lots of levothyroxine sodium tablets distributed by Major Pharmaceuticals. Testing found that the recalled tablets were below the approved potency specification, meaning they may not deliver the intended amount of thyroid hormone.

The recall affects multiple strengths packaged in 100-tablet cartons and 10-count blister packs. Dosages involved include 25 mcg, 50 mcg, 75 mcg, 88 mcg, 112 mcg, 125 mcg and 150 mcg.

The FDA has categorized the action as a Class II recall. According to the agency, a Class II recall means: "Use of, or exposure to, a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote."

This means the recall is important but does not come under FDA's highest-risk category.

Also read: Is Your Allergy Medicine Safe? FDA Recalls Antihistamine Tablets Over Life-Threatening Contamination Concerns

Why A Subpotent Thyroid Medicine A Concern?

Even relatively small differences in levothyroxine dose can affect how well the medicine works. If they contain less hormone than needed, patients may receive insufficient thyroid replacement. Possible consequences include:

• Fatigue
• Weight gain
• Feeling unusually cold
• Constipation
• Depression or low mood
• Brain fog
• Dry skin
• Slower heart rate

In some higher-risk individuals, inadequate thyroid hormone replacement could have more severe consequences, including worsening hypothyroidism or interference with thyroid cancer treatment.

Also read: CDC's 'Vaccines Do Not Cause Autism' Webpage Sparks Debate; Republican Senator Seeks Clarity

What Does This Recall Mean For Patients?

Because thyroid hormone influences nearly every organ system, taking the correct dose consistently is essential.

Also read: Montelukast Mental Health Warning Still Largely Overlooked By Psychiatrists

Do not stop taking levothyroxine on your own. Stopping thyroid medication suddenly can lead to worsening hypothyroidism and other complications. Instead, patients should:

• Check whether their medication's lot number matches the recalled batches.
• Contact your pharmacist or physician.
• Obtain a replacement if their medication is affected.
• Continue treatment unless instructed otherwise by a healthcare professional.

Other Recently Recalled Medications

The FDA also announced recently that it is recalling four lots of Cetirizine Hydrochloride Tablets USP 5 mg made by India-based company Unique Pharmaceutical Laboratories due to potential cross-contamination with ranitidine, a medication used to treat heartburn and stomach ulcers.

Although Unique Pharmaceutical Laboratories said it has not received any reports of adverse reactions related to the recalled tablets, the contamination could pose a serious risk for people who are allergic or hypersensitive to ranitidine.

The latest FDA recall serves as a reminder that quality control remains critical for medications taken every day. For anyone taking levothyroxine, experts recommend checking medication packaging against the FDA recall notice and speaking with a healthcare provider or pharmacist if there is any uncertainty.

Florida is once again reporting an increase in Hansen's disease (leprosy) cases, renewing attention to a disease that got eradicated decades ago.

While the infection remains rare in the United States, health officials say Florida continues to report one of the country's highest numbers of locally acquired cases, with recent infections concentrated in several Central Florida counties.

According to the Florida Department of Health, 17 cases of leprosy had been reported statewide through mid-July 2026, with multiple cases identified in Brevard, Lake, Orange, Seminole, Sumter, and Volusia counties.

Local health experts say the disease is uncommon but not unexpected in Florida, where environmental and wildlife factors contribute to its persistence.

Why Does Leprosy Still Exist In Florida?

Also read: WHO Declares Australia Free Of Trachoma: All About The Irreversible Blindness

Unlike many parts of the world where leprosy is associated human-to-human transmission, Florida has a unique risk factor: wild nine-banded armadillos.

Research has shown that armadillos are natural reservoirs of Mycobacterium leprae, the bacterium that causes leprosy.

Humans may become infected after frequent contact with infected armadillos or contaminated soil where the bacteria may persist. Experts emphasize that not every armadillo carries the bacteria.

Scientists also believe Florida has become endemic for leprosy, meaning the disease is now established locally rather than being introduced through international travel.

Increasing numbers of patients have reported no history of foreign travel or known contact with someone diagnosed with leprosy, suggesting local transmission is still prevalent.

All About Leprosy

Also read: Chile Becomes The First Country In Americas To Eliminate Leprosy, Says WHO

Leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease, is a chronic bacterial infection caused primarily by Mycobacterium leprae. The disease mainly affects:

• Skin
• Peripheral nerves
• Eyes
• Upper respiratory tract lining

If diagnosed early, it is completely curable. Delayed treatment, however, can result in permanent nerve damage, muscle weakness, and disability.

How Does It Spread?

Contrary to longstanding myths, leprosy is not highly contagious. Health experts say the infection usually spreads through prolonged, close contact with untreated individuals, likely via respiratory droplets.

Casual interactions like shaking hands, hugging, sharing meals, or sitting next to someone do not typically spread the disease.

The illness also has an unusually long incubation period, often taking 2 to 20 years before symptoms appear, making it difficult to identify exactly where and when an infection occurred. Early symptoms may include:

• Pale or reddish skin patches with reduced sensation
• Numbness in the hands or feet
• Tingling or nerve pain
• Muscle weakness
• Thickened peripheral nerves

Because symptoms develop gradually, many patients are diagnosed only after nerve damage has already begun.

Experts advise avoiding unnecessary handling of wild armadillos and seeking medical evaluation for persistent numb skin lesions, especially after possible exposure

Although leprosy is curable, its persistence in Florida highlights how infectious diseases can survive in animal reservoirs even after becoming rare in humans.

Public health experts say improving awareness among both doctors and the public is essential for early diagnosis, timely treatment, and preventing permanent disability.