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

Barbecues, parades, and extravagant fireworks displays mark the Fourth of July weekend in the US each year. However, weather experts have issued a warning that a heat dome could result in increased temperatures across several parts of the country. Rise in mercury teamed with the nature of festivities is expected to pave the way for several health risks.

What Is A Heat Dome?

Heat domes, a severe weather pattern, refer to the phenomenon when a strong high-pressure traps hot air over a particular region, acting like a huge lid. It causes temperatures to soar for a specific period of time.

This can lead to extremely high daytime temperatures, hotter nights, droughts, higher risks of forest fires, and heat-related illnesses.

Heat Dome Looms Over Fourth Of July

According to meteorologists, several parts of the United States could experience extreme heat conditions during the Fourth of July holiday. On Sunday, the National Weather Service said that the record-shattering heat would grip the eastern part of the country.

The heat dome is expected to send the temperatures soaring into triple digits. Parts of Iowa, Missouri, and Kansas are among the most affected. States like Ohio, parts of North Carolina, and Washington, D.C will also see hotter days ahead.

Biggest Heat-Related Risks During Fourth of July

Prolonged exposure to high temperatures, especially during outdoor celebrations, can increase health risks like dehydration, heat exhaustion, and even heatstroke.

Fireworks and Heat

An extravagant display of fireworks is one of the important traditions of the holiday. However, extreme heat significantly increases the risk of accidental fires and other dangers of fireworks.

Heat Exhaustion And Heatstroke

Several traditional Fourth of July activities entail spending long hours outdoors, often during the daytime. This could pose risks of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Symptoms typically include excessive sweating, dizziness, headache, nausea, muscle cramps, and weakness.

Dehydration

Hot weather combined with strenuous outdoor activities can cause the body to lose significant amounts of fluids through sweat. This could increase the risk of dehydration. Additionally, Fourth of July celebrations may include consuming alcoholic beverages, which can further contribute to dehydration.

Sunburn

Sunburn is also one of the significant health risks. Spending hours outdoors can also increase the risk of sunburn and skin damage. Unprotected exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation can lead to painful burns and increase long-term health risks like skin cancer.

How To Celebrate Safely

Health experts recommend a few simple precautions to enjoy the Fourth of July holiday safely:

Staying hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to avoid dehydration. Limit alcohol and caffeinated beverages, which can contribute to fluid loss.

Do not skip sunscreen: Ensure to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 and reapply every two hours, especially after swimming or sweating and on days with continued sun exposure.

Plan activities according to the weather: Schedule outdoor activities during the morning or evening when temperatures are lower.

Take breaks to cool down: Take frequent breaks indoors or in shaded areas. If possible, spend time in air-conditioned spaces.

Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, and light-colored clothing that could keep you comfortable and cool throughout the day

More than one million children in England had active referrals to mental health services last year, with anxiety remaining the leading reason for seeking support, according to a new report.

The annual report by Children's Commissioner Rachel de Souza warns that England is facing a growing children's mental health crisis.

New data for 2024-25 shows that 1,048,965 children had an active referral to Children and Young People's Mental Health Services (CYPMHS) — nearly double the number recorded in 2018-19 and almost 10 per cent higher than the previous year.

"The report clearly demonstrates the sheer scale of distress young people are facing today," de Souza said.

What Did The Report Find?

Also read: Europe's Heatwave Turns Deadly As It Claims Over 1,300 In A Week, Says WHO

• Record demand: More than 1.04 million children had active referrals to Children and Young People's Mental Health Services (CYPMHS) in 2024-25, nearly double the number recorded in 2018-19 and almost 10 per cent higher than the previous year.

• Anxiety remains the top concern: Anxiety accounted for 16 per cent of all referrals, making it the most common reason children were referred. Referrals for suspected autism rose by nearly 50 per cent in a year (65,530 to 96,393), while referrals for other neurodevelopmental conditions increased 24 per cent.

• Growing treatment backlog: Despite more children receiving treatment, 35 per cent of referred children were still waiting for care by March 2025, up from 33 per cent the previous year and 29 per cent in 2022-23.

• Long waits for support: More than 60,000 children had been waiting for treatment for over two years, compared with 44,000 the previous year. Those still waiting had an average wait of 224 days.

• Poor access for autism support: Fewer than one in five children with suspected autism or neurodevelopmental conditions received treatment. For suspected autism alone, only 13 per cent accessed care by March 2025, with an average wait of about one year.

• Ethnic disparities: Black and Asian children were less likely to be referred but more likely to reach services only in crisis. One in four Black children were referred in crisis, compared with 16 per cent of Asian and 7.4 per cent of White children.

• Age differences: Adolescents aged 13-15 accounted for 35 per cent of children receiving treatment, while younger children were more likely to face longer waits or have referrals closed before treatment.

• Socioeconomic inequality: Children from the poorest 10 per cent of areas made up 15 per cent of referrals, compared with 7.6 per cent from the least deprived areas.

• Gender gap: Boys were slightly less likely than girls to be referred and to receive treatment after referral.

The Need to Improve Children's Mental Health

"These are not just numbers, but children whose lives have been put on hold for months and, in some cases, years waiting for support they urgently need," de Souza said.

She urged greater investment in children's mental health and called for stronger support across schools, healthcare and social care.

de Souza stressed the need for "greater focus on services across health, education and social care to ensure children are getting the help they need in schools and the community".

A stifling heatwave that has several European nations in its chokehold has turned deadly, with more than 1,300 deaths reported within a week by the World Health Organization (WHO). The recent casualties have compelled authorities to adopt emergency measures as temperatures continue to soar to record-breaking levels.

Europe’s Heatwave Claims 1,300 Lives

According to the WHO, the deaths were recorded between June 21 and June 28, making it one of the deadliest early Europe has witnessed in recent years. Government and health authorities fear that the toll could surge further as temperatures continue to increase.

In a post on X, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of WHO attributed the uncontrolled heatwave to climate change, saying, “We were warned.”

He also said, “Heat stress is often called the ‘silent killer’ – and European homes, workplaces and schools were not built for these temperatures.”

The Director-General also said that the WHO is working with its member states to address the emerging health threats posed by extreme heat.

The WHO has repeatedly warned that climate change is increasing both the frequency and intensity of extreme heat events globally. Europe, which is warming at nearly twice the global average rate, has become particularly vulnerable to prolonged and severe heatwaves.

Countries like Germany and the Czech Republic recorded nearly 42 degrees Celsius on Sunday. Among the nations in crisis, France has emerged as the worst-hit, as approximately 1,000 excess deaths due to extreme heat were recorded.

Poland and Hungary have also experienced record-breaking heat, with meteorological agencies reporting unusually high temperatures for this time of year.

Elderly Individuals Are The Most Vulnerable

Public health experts have repeatedly warned that older adults are especially vulnerable during prolonged periods of intense heat.

Officials said many of those who died were elderly individuals, particularly those living by themselves or suffering from chronic health conditions like cardiovascular disease, respiratory illnesses, and diabetes.

Age-related changes in the body's ability to regulate temperature, combined with pre-existing medical conditions, significantly increase the risk of death due to heat exhaustion, heatstroke, dehydration, and other life-threatening complications.

Experts caution that heat-related deaths are often underreported because extreme heat can worsen existing medical conditions rather than being listed as the direct cause of death. Due to this, the real cost of human life due to the heatwave may go underreported.

With meteorologists predicting that hot conditions could persist in several parts of Europe, health authorities remain on high alert. According to the WHO, the recent climate crisis is no longer a seasonal inconvenience, but a growing public health emergency warranting urgent preparedness, appropriate measures, and long-term climate action.

Tips to Beat the Heat:

To reduce the health risks associated with extreme temperatures, the WHO suggested to:

Stay hydrated - Drink enough water throughout the day. Bring a refillable water bottle. Avoid excessive caffeine and alcohol.

Watch your urine color - Dark yellow may indicate you are not drinking enough water.

Wear light clothing – Opt for breathable, loose-fitting light-colored clothes and a hat to shield yourself from the sun.

Use sunscreen – Apply SPF 30+ sunscreen regularly to protect your skin

Seek shade – Take breaks in shaded areas or air-conditioned spaces when possible.

Know the signs of heat illness – Watch for dizziness, nausea, or confusion. Seek medical help if needed.

Cool down – Use wet towels, misting fans, or splash water on your face and arms to enhance thermal comfort.

Stay well – if you have a medical condition or take medicines regularly, check with your doctor.