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

South Korean president Lee Jae Myung directed his government to consider expanding country's health insurance coverage for hair loss treatment. He remarked that hair loss has now become "a matter of survival". He calls baldness the new enemy and is quite worried by this.

As per The Chosun Daily, during a policy briefing on Tuesday, December 16, Lee asked, "Isn't hair loss part of a disease? I hear young people use a lot of hair loss medication - has there been a review?"

South Korea's national health insurance currently covers treatment for hair loss, but only those that are caused by medical conditions like alopecia areata. Most treatments for common male pattern baldness are not included in the insurance scheme, confirmed the South Korean Minister of Health and Welfare, Jeong Eun-Kyeong. Jeong explained that "genetic hair loss is not covered by health insurance due to its weak association with medical treatment". She also explained that hereditary hair loss is not covered because it is not life-threatening. Jeong explained that hair loss is considered a cosmetic concern.

However, Lee said, "Hair loss medication seems widely used—wouldn’t designating it under medical insurance lower drug prices?" He further added: "Hair loss was once seen as a cosmetic issue, but now it’s perceived as a survival matter. If costs are too burdensome, consider reviewing limits on frequency or total amounts.”

He also asked the same to be reviewed for obesity. “The same applies to obesity —are we reviewing drug treatments?” he asked. Lee also said that "there may be young people who think it’s unfair that they only pay insurance premiums and can’t receive benefits."

The Ministry of Health and Welfare has begun reviewing support for the proposal after a directive from the president, The Chosun Daily reported. This is not the first time Lee has raised the idea. He had promised insurance coverage for hair loss treatment during his unsuccessful 2022 presidential campaign, a pledge that drew criticism as populist.

Read: Why Is Your Hairline Receding?

Discrimination Against Bald Men

In 2018, a local company was asked to not discriminate against aspiring job seekers for being bald-headed. The National Human Rights Commission of Korea had to intervene and said any discrimination against bald men in employment is in violation of people's rights to equality. This recommendation came after a South Korean man filed a petition in August 2015, contending he failed to land a job at a building facility management company due to his baldness.

Also Read: Are Young Men Losing Hair Over Modern Lifestyle?

Yonhap News Agency reported, that while the company denied the allegation and said the applicant failed to meet certain requirements, the commission concluded that baldness may have been the primary factor in the hiring decision. It also noted that the applicant had been asked to wear a wig during the interview.

"(Having a) bald head is a natural phenomenon that cannot be reversed by individuals. Thus any discrimination over baldness cannot be considered reasonable," the National Human Rights Commission of Korea said.

Hospitals in Bristol are struggling as they are under extreme pressure during the winter season. The Bristol NHS Group said that due to high levels of seasonal illness, all healthcare facilities are seeing a significant increase in patients coming into hospitals. Factors like flu and harsh weather also contributed to the strain on the NHS.

In a state, Group Chief Medical Officer, Professor Tim Whittlestone said,, “Winter pressures are being felt across all our local NHS services. Hospital sites within the Bristol NHS Group are currently experiencing exceptionally high demand. If you require urgent medical assistance and are unsure where to go, please contact NHS 111 for guidance. If you have an appointment, please attend as usual unless you hear from us.”

The UK Health Security Agency has already issued an Amber Cold Health-Alert for the South West of England this morning. The alert says that there is an increased risk of mortality rates for those above the age of 65. The alert also notes that anyone of younger age could too be at potential health risk during extreme weather.

How Long Will This Cold Last?

The UK Health Security Agency or the UKHSA and Met Office extended the duration of the current amber cold health alert. All regions of England will remain under the alert until 10am on Friday, January 9.

As per the Weather Health Alerting System, introduced by UKHSA and the Met Office, an amber cold health alert means that cold weather impacts are likely to be felt across the health and social care sector, with potential for the whole population to be at risk. Other sectors may also be impacted, which will necessitate a coordinated response.

As temperatures go low, it is predicted that health care services for the vulnerable population would be increased, along with an increase in risk to health for individuals aged 65 years and those living with serious health condition. Other vulnerable groups could be those sleeping rough.

Dr Paul Coleman, Consultant in Health Protection at UKHSA, said: " The weather is forecast to be very cold across England over the coming few days. Low temperatures like these can have serious impacts on the health of some people, particularly older people and those with serious health conditions. Exposure to cold can lead to increased risk of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections. It is therefore really important, as the colder weather sets in, to check in on friends, family and neighbours that are most vulnerable."

High Pressure On Hospitals

NHS England too have stressed that "pressures on hospitals remain incredibly high" with concerns that conditions could worsen with the cold snap, reported The Independent. As per the new NHS figures, 3,061 flu patients are in a hospital each day in the week ending December 21, while this is down from the average 3,140, in the week before, top doctor is saying that England is "not out of danger yet". Authorities are constantly urging people to get their flu jabs, which will help in protecting them and also ease the pressure on the hospitals.

Four children have died from flu in Massachusetts so far, public health officials confirmed. The deaths occurred in recent weeks as peak flu season has been witnessed, noted the Department of Public Health. The Boston Public Health Commission on Tuesday said that two of the deaths were children in the city under 2 years old.

"These viruses are serious, dangerous, and life-threatening. We are seeing children who are seriously ill, families grieving devastating losses, and hospitals under capacity strain," Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein said in a statement.

More Pediatric Deaths Could Happen

While this season noted for 4 deaths, in the 2024-25 season, there were 10 pediatric deaths, which according to the department was a record high. "It's early in the season yet and it would not be surprising to see more, sadly," said Dr. Larry Madoff, the medical director of the department's bureau of infectious disease and laboratory sciences, as reported by CBS News. "It's shaping up to be a severe early flu season."

Read: Flu Cases Reach At Its Highest Level In 25 Years: Reveals CDC Data

Who Are At Most Risk Of Dying From Flu?

Dr Madoff said that children who are under the age of 2 are at most risk of dying from flu. However, doctors are also seeing severe cases in children as old as 5. As of now, there have been 29 adult deaths this flu season. Flu activity is also said to be "very high" in the state for the first time this season and 9% of all hospitalization in the state are due to flu, which was 5% last week.

The state is also investigating two possible COVID related deaths and one RSV related death in patients under 18 years old.

Also Read: Unique Symptoms Of Flu In 2026 And How Long Infection Now Last

What Is The Best Way To Protect Yourself Against Flu?

Massachusetts that reported a very high level of flu activity, officials are urging people to stay vaccinated. In a news release, Public Health Commissioner Dr Robbie Goldstein said, "This is a moment for clarity, urgency, and action. These viruses are serious, dangerous, and life-threatening. We are seeing children who are seriously ill, families grieving devastating losses, and hospitals under capacity strain. There is a simple, effective, and available way to address these concerns: vaccines."

He further added: "They can prevent serious illness and hospitalization. And they save lives. If you have not yet been vaccinated against flu or COVID-19 this season, now is the time. It is not too late. Choosing vaccination is choosing to protect yourself, your family, your friends, your colleagues, and your community.”

Dr Michael Osterholm who directs the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota says, "In the next 48 hours, if you haven’t been vaccinated, get vaccinated. Don’t wait."

As of now, as per the CDC at least 11 million people have had the flu this season, 120,000 have been hospitalized with it and 5,000 people have died.

Flu vaccinations have also dropped in children from a high of 53% over the 2019-20 flu season to 42% at the same point this season. The new flu data released by the US Department of Health and Human services have further announced to modify the childhood vaccine schedule.