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

The hantavirus outbreak, which began late in April aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship, is now stable, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Sharing opening remarks at the 159th session of the Executive Board today, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that no new cases and deaths of the rat-borne virus have been reported.

“The hantavirus outbreak is now stable, with one new case in the past two weeks, and no new deaths since May 2,” he said.

The outbreak resulted in 12 total cases (10 confirmed, 2 probable) and 3 deaths.

“All passengers and crew remain in quarantine and under close monitoring to ensure they receive care if needed,” the WHO Chief added.

All the passengers have been repatriated and will be monitored until the quarantine period ends on June 21. The crew will also be quarantined until June 29.

A Dutch couple is believed to have been first exposed to the virus while visiting a birdwatching site in Argentina.

“There is no sign that we are seeing the start of a larger outbreak. But of course, that could change, and we urge all affected countries to continue monitoring the passengers and crew carefully. I thank the many countries involved in the response,” Tedros said.

Also read: WHO Chief Warns Ebola Epidemic ‘Outpacing Us’; India Intensifies Screening At Airports

The current outbreaks of Ebola and hantavirus remind us that the next pandemic will not wait for us, he noted, urging countries to work on making the Pandemic Agreement operational.

The WHO has confirmed that the Andes strain of hantavirus — the only strain known to spread from person to person — is behind the outbreak. The strain has no vaccine.

Meanwhile, the Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said he signed a targeted Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act declaration “to support the development and deployment of medical countermeasures related to the Andes virus” strain of hantavirus.

“This action helps remove barriers to research and response efforts while we continue monitoring the recent outbreak linked to the South Atlantic cruise ship,” Kennedy said in a statement posted to social media. “HHS is taking this situation seriously and will continue working to protect public health and support the safe development of potential treatments and countermeasures.”

What Is Hantavirus?

As per the WHO, hantaviruses are zoonotic viruses that naturally infect rodents and are occasionally transmitted to humans.

Globally, an estimated 100,000 to 200,000 hantavirus infections occur each year. The majority of these cases are in Asia, particularly China. Most are sporadic or occur in small clusters, linked to contact with infected rodents.

Infection in people can result in severe illness and often death, although the diseases vary by type of virus and geographical location.

Notably, the WHO has not specified the type of hantavirus or syndrome in the cruise incident, but did mention respiratory risks.

The hantavirus is primarily spread by rodents through

• exposure to their urine,
• droppings,
• saliva,
• less commonly through a scratch or bite.

The ongoing Ebola outbreak "is spreading rapidly" and "outpacing us", said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organization, today.

At the Virtual Ministerial Briefing on the Bundibugyo Ebola Outbreak today, he stated that "more than 900 suspected cases have been identified so far, including 101 confirmed cases".

Echoing concern, he noted that the epidemic is outpacing us.

"We are urgently scaling up operations, but at the moment the epidemic is outpacing us," Tedros said, adding that countries bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo, the epicenter of the outbreak, should take immediate action.

Officials informed that Uganda reported two more Ebola cases, taking its total number of confirmed cases to seven. The deadly virus has reportedly killed at least 220 people so far.

Tedros added that the "delay in detecting the outbreak means that we are now playing catch-up with a very fast-moving epidemic".

Ebola disease is a severe viral hemorrhagic fever with a high mortality rate.

India Boosts Screening

Also read: Why Ebola Does Not Spread Like COVID-19: Experts Explain

The mounting cases of Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda has kept India on alert mode.

The Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Jagat Prakash Nadda, today held another review meeting to check the country's preparedness and surveillance measures for Ebola disease.

“India has not reported any case of Bundibugyo Ebola disease to date," the Union Health Minister said.

The country has also issued a travel advisory for citizens to avoid non-essential travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan.

The Union Health Ministry earlier issued Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on public health preparedness and response to Ebola disease, encompassing protocols for screening, quarantine, clinical management, laboratory testing, and infection prevention practices.

In addition, guidelines have been issued for hospital infection control, isolation facility preparedness, and for safe and dignified handling of human remains of Ebola patients.

Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) units and Airport Health Organizations have been instructed to maintain heightened vigilance for unexplained febrile illness among international travelers and ensure prompt reporting and management of any suspected case.

Screening Intensified At Airports in India

Meanwhile, states like Maharashtra, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Gujarat have intensified screening of passengers arriving from Ebola-affected countries like Uganda, Congo, and South Sudan.

The Union government has asked states to identify designated isolation facilities, arrange dedicated ambulances, and ensure availability of trained healthcare personnel, personal protective equipment (PPE), laboratory support, and critical care capacity.

An advisory is displayed at the Delhi airport by the Airport Health Organization (APHO) , advising passengers to watch out for symptoms such as:

• fever,
• weakness,
• headache,
• muscle pain,
• vomiting,
• diarrhea,
• sore throat,
• unexplained bleeding.

According to the APHO, any traveler developing symptoms within 21 days of arrival should seek immediate medical care and inform authorities about their travel history.

Read More: Ebola Outbreak: University of Glasgow Researcher Explains Why Bundibugyo Virus Is Concerning

Ebola: An Antiviral On The Anvil

Even though the new Bundibugyo strain has no vaccine or antiviral, the WHO has recommended prioritizing two monoclonal antibodies for clinical trials.

"We are also recommending the evaluation of the antiviral obeldesivir in a clinical trial as post-exposure prophylaxis for people who are high-risk contacts," the WHO chief said.

This clinical trial is now being developed jointly with Africa CDC and the Collaborative Open Research Consortium on filoviruses, he noted.

As Delhi and most of North India continue to face rising temperatures, doctors have raised concerns over worsening air pollution, warning that the combination is placing severe stress on the human body, even among otherwise healthy individuals.

HealthandMe spoke to experts to understand how the overlap of heatwaves and polluted air can affect health.

According to experts, extreme heat and pollution together are no longer just an environmental issue, but are emerging as a serious urban health emergency.

Also Read: AYUSH Ministry Shares Yoga, Ayurveda Tips To Beat Heatwave Stress

Dr. Amit Kumar Mandal, Senior Director - Pulmonology at Paras Health, explained that extreme heat combined with pollution forces multiple organs to work harder simultaneously.

“People often think heatwaves only affect the skin or cause dehydration, but when extreme heat combines with high pollution levels, the body starts functioning as if it is constantly under attack,” he said.

The expert explained that "the lungs are forced to work harder to filter hot, polluted air, while the heart simultaneously struggles to regulate body temperature. This invisible overload can quietly trigger inflammation, breathing distress, sudden BP fluctuations, and cardiac strain, even in people who otherwise consider themselves healthy".

Symptoms Often Missed

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Dr. Amit further noted that the subtle symptoms in the beginning often go unnoticed, making the combination even more dangerous.

The symptoms increasingly being seen during such weather conditions include

• persistent tiredness,
• irritability,
• disturbed sleep,
• headaches,
• chest heaviness,
• unusual breathlessness.

“Heat and pollution together are no longer just an environmental issue; they are emerging as a serious urban health emergency. Preventive care during summers now has to go beyond avoiding the sun; people need to actively protect their respiratory and cardiovascular health as well,” Dr. Amit told HealthandMe .

How Prolonged Exposure Can Affect Health

Dr. Rahul Punj, Senior Consultant - Internal Medicine at Yatharth Super Speciality Hospital, told HealthandMe that prolonged exposure to high temperatures and poor air quality can affect multiple systems in the body.

“Rising heat and increasing pollution levels are becoming major health concerns, especially in urban areas. Prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures and poor air quality can lead to dehydration, heat exhaustion, breathing difficulties, allergies, skin issues, and can even worsen heart and lung diseases. Children, elderly people, pregnant women, outdoor workers, and patients with asthma, COPD, or other chronic illnesses need to be extra cautious during this period,” he said.

How To Prevent Health Risks

Read More: Ebola Cases Cross 900, Death Toll Tops 200; 10 Countries On High Alert

Dr. Rahul advised people to take preventive measures seriously during heatwave conditions. Preventive measures that can help reduce health risks include:

• staying hydrated,
• avoiding direct sunlight during peak afternoon hours,
• wearing light cotton clothes,
• using masks in polluted areas,
• maintaining proper indoor ventilation.

Weather Today

Residents in Delhi continue to struggle against soaring temperatures and blazing sunshine. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for the next three days, warning of continued heatwave conditions along with strong surface winds during the afternoons and evenings.

The maximum temperatures are expected to increase by a further 1°C-2°C within the next 24 hours and are forecast to stay high until May 27.

The national capital recorded a maximum temperature of 43.6 degrees Celsius on Sunday, around 3.4 degrees above the seasonal average. The minimum temperature settled at 28.4 degrees Celsius in the morning, nearly two degrees above normal.

Last week, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoked Stage 1 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR after the city’s air quality slipped into the ‘poor’ category.