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

US President Donald Trump was seen with a visible neck rash and a bruised right hand that appeared to be covered with makeup during the 2026 NATO Summit in Türkiye, drawing renewed attention to his health. However, the White House has continued to insist that the 80-year-old president, the oldest America has ever had, remains in good health.

The 2026 NATO Summit was held at the Beştepe Presidential Complex in Ankara, Türkiye, from July 7 to 8.

Trump's Bruised Hand And Neck Rash Spark Attention

The back of Trump's right hand—visible beneath white sleeves fastened with presidential cufflinks—looked noticeably darker than the surrounding skin, suggesting it may have been covered with makeup, The Independent reported.

The recurring discoloration has attracted attention in recent months. Similar bruising, often accompanied by visible cosmetic coverage, has been photographed during Trump's appearance at a UFC event at the White House in June and after a meeting with coal miners in February. Some photographs have also appeared to show similar markings on his left hand.

A neck rash was also visible above the president's shirt collar. Trump additionally appeared unsteady on his feet, particularly while using stairs.

Also read: Donald Trump Posts AI Video of Himself Treating Critics for 'Derangement Syndrome'

Erdoğan Seen Guiding Trump At Welcome Ceremony

During the summit's welcome ceremony, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, 72, was seen taking Trump by the arm and guiding him into position.

Both Trump, 80, and Erdoğan have faced public scrutiny over their physical and cognitive health. Trump has drawn attention for rambling speeches, apparent dozing during public events, and the recurring bruising on his hands. Erdoğan has similarly been the subject of discussion over verbal stumbles, moments of confusion, and a slower walking pace.

White House Dismisses Health Concerns

Read More: New Book Examines Donald Trump's Health, Age Concerns; White House Responds

The White House has repeatedly dismissed concerns, attributing the bruising to the physical demands of Trump's public schedule.

"President Trump is the sharpest, most accessible, and energetic president in American history," White House spokesperson Davis Ingle said in a statement provided to The Independent. "The President is a man of the people and he meets more Americans and shakes their hands on a daily basis than any other President in history."

In February, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also said the bruising resulted from frequent handshaking.

Following Trump's most recent medical examination in May, White House physician Dr. Sean Barbabella said the bruising was consistent with "minor soft tissue irritation related to frequent handshaking" while the president was taking aspirin as a preventive measure against cardiovascular disease.

After his check-up at Walter Reed, Trump wrote on Truth Social that "everything" had "checked out PERFECTLY."

Public attention has also focused on other aspects of Trump's appearance in recent months. A swelling around his ankles and occasions during official events when he appeared to keep his eyes closed for extended periods have been raising health concerns.

The White House has previously said the ankle swelling is caused by blood pooling in the lower legs, describing it as a common condition among older adults.

The Democratic Republic of Congo is currently in the middle of one of the worst outbreaks in the history of Ebola. On Tuesday, a World Health Organization (WHO) official spoke about the challenges that are making it harder for the authorities to contain the outbreak.

WHO Doctor On Challenges In Containing DRC Ebola Outbreak

Since the outbreak and as of July 4, Congo ⁠has ⁠confirmed 1,561 cases, including 506 deaths, in the worst-ever outbreak of the rare Bundibugyo species of Ebola for which there is no proven treatment or cure yet. Currently, more than 10,000 contacts are being monitored.

Dr Anne Ancia, WHO’s representative to the DRC, said, “It is still in the expansion phase, unfortunately. The outbreak’s true scale has not yet been fully established. We would like to say it is stabilizing, but frankly, we cannot say it yet.”

Speaking from Bunia, the capital of Ituri province, which is at the heart of the outbreak, she added that WHO is strengthening its understanding of the history of every case of infection “so that we can really understand the chain of transmission and isolate every contact case.”

Overwhelmed Treatment Facilities

Pointing to the challenges in containing the outbreak, the WHO representative said that Ebola treatment centres are “at saturation point”. One of the main administrative difficulties that health officials are facing is high occupancy levels, with some around 90%.

She said, “I visited treatment centres in and around Bunia, Beni, Butembo, Katwa, and I met frontline workers responsible for patient care, contact tracing, investigating alerts and sensitising and mobilising communities.”

She also praised the frontline healthcare workers: “I witnessed firsthand the dedication of staff who continue to serve their communities despite enormous challenges."

Dr Ancia added, “Today, we do not have enough ambulances, warning that all the needs in Ituri province cannot be met.

Read more: Uganda Says Ebola Is Contained After Nearly Two Months Of Outbreak; Seeks To Get Travel Restrictions Removed

Population Movement

The WHO official also spoke about the high risk of transmission due to population movement. She said that the workers in the mining town of Mongwbalu are not seeking medical assistance locally, but are travelling to other regions, increasing the risk of transmission in new areas.

Dr Ancia said, “Population movements, persistent insecurity and the fragility of the health system continue to complicate efforts to bring the outbreak under control.”

Misinformation

While updates about new cases of Ebola have not surfaced, misinformation about the disease has been rife in several Congolese communities.

According to the Council on Foreign Relations, there have been reports that some local communities believe that the disease is a hoax or was brought into the country by Western aid workers who wanted to make a profit.

What Makes This Ebola Outbreak Deadlier?

While Ebola is not a new disease, the current outbreak poses a significant threat because it is caused by a rare strain of the virus, Bundibugyo. Unlike previous outbreaks dominated by the Zaire strain of Ebola, the current epidemic, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, is an uncommon species of the Ebola virus family.

The rarity of the strain has created scientific and emergency public health challenges, as there is currently no licensed vaccine to protect against the Bundibugyo Ebola virus.

When Ebola from Zaire strain broke out, vaccination became an important part of outbreak control. Hence, in the current epidemic, public health officials are being forced to rely heavily on rapid diagnosis, infection prevention, surveillance, and existing medical care.

The popularity of GLP-1 weight-loss medications in the United States has reached its highest level yet. A new survey shows that nearly one in 10 American adults now takes the drugs to lose weight. At the same time, the country's obesity rate shows a steady decline. Experts say the survey does not prove that one trend is directly causing the other.

GLP-1 Weight-Loss Drug Use At An All-Time High In The US

GLP-1 drugs, including medications such as semaglutide and tirzepatide, were originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes but have become increasingly popular for managing obesity after studies showed they could help people lose significant amounts of weight.

According to Gallup's latest National Health and Well-Being Index, 11% of U.S. adults currently use a GLP-1 medication for weight loss. In 2024, this number was just 3%.

The survey also said that 15% of adults have tried a GLP-1 medication at some point, compared to the 6% from two years ago.

The survey also found that 91% of Americans have heard of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, up from 80% in 2024. The growing visibility of the medication reflects widespread media coverage, celebrity endorsements, and broader acceptance by patients and healthcare providers.

Also read: Serena Williams Lost 34 Pounds With The Help Of A GLP-1 Drug But It’s Not Ozempic

Obesity Rate Has Been Steadily Declining

The Gallup report also found that the adult obesity rate in the US has fallen to 36.4% in 2026, down from a record 39.9% in 2022. The decline follows a similar trend seen last year, when obesity rates also dropped after years of steady increases.

Researchers noted that the decrease in obesity has occurred alongside the rapid rise in GLP-1 use. However, they said that the findings show an association rather than proof that the medications are responsible for the decline in obesity. Other factors, including lifestyle changes, healthcare access, fitness consciousness, and others may also be contributing.

Despite the decline in obesity, the percentage of Americans who have diabetes has remained relatively stable at around 13.5% since 2023, according to Gallup.

Researchers said this is not unexpected because diabetes is a lifelong condition. Even if people lose weight or improve their blood sugar control, they typically continue to be diabetic once diagnosed.

US Medicare To Cover GLP-1 Drugs For Weight Loss

This is another move that will add to the popularity of GLP-1 drugs in the US. From July 1, people in the US will be able to access GLP-1 drugs for weight loss through a new pilot program, offered by the federal health insurance program Medicare. Slated to be operational for 18 months, the program will last till the end of 2027.

Until now, Medicare covered GLP-1 medications like Ozempic only for certain conditions like diabetes, but not for weight loss. The initiative aims to make these high-cost weight-loss medications more accessible to eligible candidates.

Eligible beneficiaries will be able to access the following GLP-1 weight-loss medications:

• Novo Nordisk's Wegovy injections and tablets
• Eli Lilly's Foundayo tablets
• Eli Lilly's Zepbound KwikPen

The medications will be covered only when prescribed for weight management and when beneficiaries meet the program's medical eligibility criteria.