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 UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a red heat-health alert across the Midlands and southern England until June 25, warning that extreme temperatures could pose a risk to everyone's health—not just vulnerable groups.

The alert, the highest level in the UK's heat warning system, comes as temperatures continue to rise and authorities warn of potential health emergencies, travel disruption and strain on critical infrastructure.

"Red heat health alert issued for East of England, East Midlands, London, South East, South West, and West Midlands. An amber heat health alert was issued for the North East, North West, and Yorkshire and The Humber," the agency said.

The UKHSA warned that many people struggle in hot weather and reminded the public that heat-related illnesses can become serious very quickly.

"Heat exhaustion and heatstroke are serious and potentially life-threatening conditions," the agency said in a post on X.

What Does A Red Heat Warning Mean?

A red warning is the most severe level of heat alert issued by UK authorities. It indicates:

• A high likelihood of risk to life
• Significant impacts on health services
• Potential power outages
• Disruption to road and rail networks
• Damage to property and infrastructure

The warning is scheduled to remain in force from 09:00 BST on June 24 until 21:00 BST on June 25. The Met Office has advised people to avoid unnecessary travel where possible and follow guidance from emergency services and local authorities.

This is only the second time such a warning has been issued since the UK's extreme heat warning system was introduced in 2021. The first red heat warning was issued during the record-breaking heatwave of July 2022.

As temperatures climb, several schools across western England have announced early closures due to concerns about pupils and staff spending prolonged periods in overheated classrooms, the BBC reported.

Also read: WHO Sounds Alarm on Europe's Extreme Heat: Here's How Hot It Could Get Across Countries

Symptoms Of Heat Exhaustion

The NHS says heat exhaustion usually improves if a person cools down within 30 minutes.

Common symptoms include:

• Tiredness
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Nausea or vomiting
• Excessive sweating
• Pale, clammy skin
• Muscle cramps in the arms, legs, or stomach
• High body temperature
• Intense thirst
• Irritability

Symptoms Of Heatstroke

Heatstroke is a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment.

Warning signs include:

• Very high body temperature
• Hot skin with little or no sweating
• Rapid breathing
• Fast heartbeat
• Confusion or agitation
• Seizures
• Loss of consciousness

How to Prevent Heat Exhaustion And Heatstroke

Health officials recommend taking the following precautions during periods of extreme heat:

• Drink plenty of water and cold fluids throughout the day
• Increase fluid intake if exercising or spending time outdoors
• Wear loose-fitting, lightweight and light-colored clothing
• Use a hat and sunglasses when outdoors
• Stay out of direct sunlight between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., when temperatures are typically highest
• Avoid excessive alcohol consumption.
• Reduce intense physical activity during the hottest parts of the day.

Check on Vulnerable People

Older adults, young children, pregnant women and people with long-term conditions such as diabetes or heart disease are at greater risk of heat-related illness.

The NHS urged people to regularly check on family members, neighbors and friends who may need assistance during extreme temperatures.

In a landmark medical achievement, NYU Langone Health in the United States has successfully carried out the world's first lung transplant from an HIV-positive donor to an HIV-positive recipient.

Researchers described the procedure carried out on 56-year-old Bertrand Nelson, living with HIV for nearly 26 years, as a "watershed moment for the HIV-positive community". They noted that the medical feat could significantly expand the pool of organ donors available to people living with HIV.

"While these transplants are still only allowable under certain research protocols, this marks an expansion of options for people in need of a lifesaving organ," said Sapna Mehta, Clinical Director of the NYU Langone Transplant Institute.

A New Frontier in Organ Transplantation

Also read: HIV No Longer Barrier To Organ Transplants, Say Delhi Doctors After Successful Kidney Surgery

The transplant was performed under research protocols established through the 2013 HIV Organ Policy Equity (HOPE) Act, which allows organs from HIV-positive donors to be transplanted into HIV-positive recipients in approved research settings.

According to the researchers, while HIV-positive donor transplants involving hearts and abdominal organs have been performed previously, this was the first time such a procedure was successfully carried out for the lungs.

"Transplantation of hearts and abdominal organs has been done before, but this has not been done in lung transplantation," said Mark A. Sonnick, transplant pulmonologist at NYU Langone Transplant Institute.

Approximately 1.2 million people in the United States are living with HIV. Thanks to modern antiretroviral therapy (ART), most people with HIV can now live long, healthy lives, have near-normal life expectancy, and are unable to transmit the virus when treatment is effective.

Bertrand Nelson Gets Dual-Organ Transplant

Nelson was diagnosed with both HIV and sarcoidosis, an inflammatory disease that can affect multiple organs, particularly the lungs, in 2000. At the time, doctors said the condition was in remission.

However, in 2021, Nelson contracted Legionnaires' disease, a severe form of pneumonia that required weeks of hospitalization. The illness reactivated his sarcoidosis, which subsequently spread to his liver.

By 2024, his condition had deteriorated significantly. He required increasing amounts of oxygen to breathe and was referred to the NYU Langone Transplant Institute for evaluation for both lung and liver transplantation.

Following assessment under the HOPE Act research program, Nelson was approved for a dual-organ transplant.

On March 21, surgeons transplanted both a new set of lungs and a new liver during the same operation, making medical history.

Read More: Australia’s H5N1 Detection Marks End Of Last Virus-Free Continent

Life After Surgery

In a statement, NYU Langone said Nelson is doing well after the complex surgery.

"Nelson is now off oxygen for the first time in four years and getting back in shape after years of limited mobility," the statement read.

Nelson credited his mother, who will turn 82 in August, for her unwavering support throughout his health struggles.

"I want to be well for her," Nelson said. "I want her to see me thriving."

Hope for People Living With HIV

Nelson hopes his experience will encourage others and draw attention to the need for greater access to organ transplantation within the HIV community.

"There are so many others who need access to this level of care, and the more organs that become available, the better the odds of finding the right match and living a long life," he said.

Can People With HIV Get A Transplant?

As per the US National Institutes of Health, people with HIV can successfully donate or receive transplanted organs with reasonable success rates.

However, health care providers must consider and monitor potential drug interactions, kidney and liver function, and HIV viral suppression in people with HIV receiving a transplant. Further, the NIH advised HIV positive patients to continue taking all prescribed HIV medicines before and after transplant.

The ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has surpassed 1,000 confirmed cases, according to the latest update from the country's Health Ministry.

In a statement posted on X, the ministry said as of June 20, the outbreak has resulted in 1,003 confirmed cases and 254 deaths, with a case fatality rate of 25.3 per cent

More than 100 people have recovered from the disease, while 365 patients are currently in isolation or receiving hospital treatment.

"The threshold of 1,000 confirmed cases has been crossed. Despite this progression, response teams continue active investigations, epidemiological surveillance, and prevention actions in affected areas," the ministry said.

"The response to the Ebola virus disease continues in the provinces of Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu, with an improvement in the number of recoveries but a decrease in the contact follow-up rate," the ministry added.

Health Workers Increasingly Affected

Also read: Australia’s H5N1 Detection Marks End Of Last Virus-Free Continent

The outbreak is also taking a growing toll on healthcare workers. According to the DRC's National Public Health Institute, at least 78 nurses, doctors, and other healthcare workers have contracted the disease during the outbreak, and 18 have died.

Abdou Sebushishe, medical lead in Congo for the International Medical Corps, said all infected healthcare workers were exposed outside dedicated Ebola treatment facilities, Bloomberg reported.

The current outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which often begins with symptoms similar to malaria and other common illnesses.

Because early symptoms can be difficult to distinguish, healthcare workers may come into contact with infected patients before Ebola is suspected and strict infection-control measures are implemented.

Sebushishe said infections among healthcare workers have been linked to several factors, including:

• Inadequate infection-control practices
• Shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Limited training for healthcare staff
• Weak disease surveillance systems in health facilities.

Israel Reports 2 Suspected Cases

Meanwhile, Israel's Health Ministry has reported two suspected Ebola cases involving individuals who recently returned from Congo.

Officials stressed that Ebola infection has not yet been confirmed, and laboratory testing is underway. Results are expected in the coming days, according to local media reports.

The ministry said it is conducting an epidemiological investigation to identify contacts and assess any potential links between the suspected cases.

According to the Health Ministry, Israel has never recorded a confirmed Ebola case. During the major West African Ebola outbreak in 2014, several suspected cases were investigated, but all ultimately tested negative.

Read More: WHO Sounds Alarm on Europe's Extreme Heat: Here's How Hot It Could Get Across Countries

What Is Ebola?

Ebola is a severe and often fatal viral hemorrhagic fever first identified in 1976. Since then, more than 30 outbreaks have been recorded, primarily in Central and West Africa.

Common symptoms include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Weakness and fatigue
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Muscle pain
• Sore throat
• Unexplained bleeding or bruising

In severe cases, the disease can lead to organ failure, internal bleeding, shock, and death. Aid organizations warn that without stronger surveillance, expanded testing, faster laboratory turnaround times, and more effective contact tracing, the outbreak could continue to grow in the coming weeks and months.