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 Tamil Nadu government has prohibited the manufacture, sale, distribution, and use of the cough syrup Almond Kit after laboratory testing confirmed it contained the highly toxic chemical ethylene glycol, according to a press release issued by the state’s drug control authority. Officials said the syrup, which is produced in Bihar, was found to be contaminated with ethylene glycol, a substance known to trigger serious and, in some cases, fatal health problems. But what exactly is ethylene glycol poisoning, and what health conditions can it cause?

Cough Syrup Banned In Tamil Nadu Due To Ethylene Glycol Contamination

The Tamil Nadu government has imposed a complete ban on the manufacture, sale, distribution, and consumption of the cough syrup Almond Kit after laboratory tests detected the presence of ethylene glycol, a highly dangerous chemical, the state drug control department said in a press statement. Citing news agency IANS, officials confirmed that the syrup is manufactured in Bihar and was found to be contaminated with ethylene glycol, a compound associated with severe and sometimes life-threatening health complications.

What Is Ethylene Glycol Poisoning And What Are The Early Symptoms?

Ethylene glycol is a colourless, odourless liquid with a sweet taste, most commonly used in antifreeze. It may be consumed accidentally or intentionally, including in cases of self-harm. Once inside the body, ethylene glycol breaks down into glycolic acid and oxalic acid, which are responsible for most of its toxic effects.

According to Medline Plus, early symptoms of ethylene glycol poisoning include a feeling of intoxication, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. As the poisoning progresses, symptoms can worsen and may include reduced consciousness, headaches, and seizures.

Ethylene Glycol: What Health Conditions Can It Lead To?

As per the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), exposure to ethylene glycol can result in severe and potentially fatal health conditions, particularly when ingested through contaminated medicines.

One of the most serious effects is acute kidney failure, which can develop rapidly and may cause the kidneys to shut down within a few days if treatment is delayed. Ethylene glycol can also harm the brain and nervous system, leading to confusion, poor coordination, seizures, and even coma.

The toxin can cause severe metabolic acidosis, a condition in which the blood becomes dangerously acidic, interfering with normal heart function and breathing.

In certain cases, ethylene glycol exposure can also lead to lung-related complications, including fluid accumulation in the lungs that makes breathing difficult.

Without prompt medical intervention, ethylene glycol poisoning can be fatal, especially in children and individuals with existing kidney or liver disease. This is why its detection in any oral medication is treated as a serious public health concern.

Almond Kit Cough Syrup: Which Batch Is Affected?

According to IANS, consumers have been advised to check for batch number AL24002 and strictly avoid using the syrup. People who already have the product have been asked to contact authorities for instructions on safe disposal. The Directorate has also stepped up inspections and monitoring across pharmacies and hospitals in Tamil Nadu to ensure the contaminated cough syrup is fully removed from circulation.

Finger-prick test for Alzheimer's could actually change its diagnosis. An international research trial is exploring if a simple finger-prick blood test could one day help diagnose Alzheimer's disease much earlier and more easily than current methods. The study has involved 1,000 volunteers aged over 60 from the UK, the UK, and Canada, and aims to detect biological markers in the blood linked to the condition.

If the test is successful, it could shift the Alzheimer's diagnosis. The test has the potential to make the diagnosis cheaper, which may not require expensive scans and invasive procedures.

Why Is This Finger-Prick Alzheimer's Test So Important?

Alzheimer's disease does not begin when memory problems become obvious. Research also shows that abnormal proteins linked to the disease, particularly amyloid and tau, can start building up in the brain more than a decade before symptoms appear.

By the time cognitive changes become noticeable, these damage may already occur. This is why such a test is important to ensure that the condition is diagnosed early. New treatments work best in early stages, which makes it more so important.

How Does The Finger-Prick Test Work?

The trial is examining three specific proteins in the blood that have been strongly associated with Alzheimer’s disease. By measuring their levels and concentration, researchers hope to identify whether someone may be at risk, even before symptoms develop.

All volunteers are also undergoing existing gold-standard tests. These include specialized brain scans using radioactive tracers or lumbar punctures to collect cerebrospinal fluid. These methods are accurate but costly, time-consuming, and invasive. As a result, only a small fraction of patients currently receive them.

One of the biggest advantages of the finger-prick test is that it is simple. Unlike traditional blood tests, this test does not require needles, hospital visits or refrigeration. In the future, it could potentially be done at home, with samples mailed to a laboratory for analysis.

Experts say this could dramatically shorten the time it takes to receive an accurate diagnosis. Many families currently wait months or even years, often navigating multiple appointments before getting clear answers.

Participants have also chosen to take a part due to their personal experience with dementia in the families. For them, the possibility of early screening and new treatment is a way to avoid worsening the condition. Participants who have received negative results describe relief, while also recognizing that individual outcomes are just one part of a much larger study. Researchers will only know how effective the test truly is once data from all participants has been analyzed.

What Happens Next?

So far, 883 volunteers have enrolled, with more than 360 completing every test required. The group includes cognitively healthy individuals, people with mild impairment, and those in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. At least a quarter of participants come from under-represented communities. The trial is also expected to run until 2028.

After a brief period of clear sky, and better air quality index levels (AQI), Delhi is again engulfed with thick layer of smog. Delhiites on Monday morning woke up with the AQI of 418, under the 'severe' category. As per the data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the AQI in the ITO area was recorded 434, Rafi Marg at 417, and areas around Swaminarayan Akshardham temple at 455. All under 'severe' category.

Also Read: NHS England Expands Access To Life Saving Prostate Cancer Drug

• Anand Vihar stood at 462
• Ashok Vihar stood at 473
• Bawana stood at 448
• Burari stood at 460
• Chandni Chowk stood at 454
• Dwarka Sector 8 stood at 427
• Mundka stood at 467
• Narela stood at 437
• Punjabi Bagh stood at 434
• RK Puram stood at 439
• Rohini stood at 437
• Wazirpur stood at 472

GRAP IV Reimposed In Delhi

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) imposed Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) on Saturday evening after AQI crossed the 400 mark for the first time in 2026. GRAP-IV is the strictest of all measures, and bans construction activities, along with restrictions on vehicle movement.

What Is Allowed And What Is Not

Under GRAP-IV, all petrol, diesel and CNG stations in Delhi will supply fuel to only vehicles with valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC).

Vehicles identified through ANPR cameras or other methods and found refuelled without PUCC will be facing penalties.

Verification of the physical certificates or electronic certificates would be done through systems like VAHAN.

Note: These rules do not apply on emergency vehicles on sovereign duty like ambulances, fire tenders and police vehicles. Vehicles carrying essential goods or providing essential services will be exempted too, notified by authorities.

Any vehicle registered outside Delhi and not compliant with BS-VI norms will not be allowed to operate in the city. CNG and electric vehicles, public transport, and vehicles carrying essential goods are exempted.

Trucks or any other carriers that transport construction materials like sand, stones, bricks, cement, ready-mix concrete, debris and similar items, will not be allowed to enter Delhi.

Are Schools Closed Under GRAP-IV?

Under GRAP-IV, physical classes are suspended, and based on previous precedents, educational institutions were directed to shift to online or hybrid learning mode. GRAP-IV restrictions have been reimposed across Delhi and NCR residents, including Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Budh Nagar.

Also Read: Delhi Isn't Just Breathing Toxic Air, But Also A Superbug That Resists Antibiotics

Delhi's Air Pollution Continues To Worsen

Delhi is not just breathing toxic air, but also a superbug through its air, which was found in a latest research conducted by the researchers are Jawaharlal Nehru University, published in Nature - Scientific Reports. Apart from the heavy particulate matter or the PM2.5, which are small enough to penetrate through one's bloodstream and cause blockage, Delhi's air also contains airborne bacteria, including staphylococci. The bacteria levels exceed the safety limit by 16-fold as provided by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Will Delhi Use Smog-Eating Surfaces To Deal With Pollution?

The government is pursuing "smog eating" surfaces to deal with the pollution problem in Delhi. While it may sound like a strange thing in India, not to the world. In fact, in the Netherlands these were used to reduce local nitrogen oxide or the NO concentrations in the air, rather than greenhouse gas concentrations.

Smog usually contains a mixture of hydrocarbons, ozone, oxides of nitrogen and sulphur, and particulates. The pollution is caused by both photochemical reactions that involve sunlight, unburned hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides, along with high concentrations of particulate matter, especially from vehicle exhaust, construction dust and biomass burning.

Read: Explained: What Are Smog-Eating Surface And How Is Delhi Using It To Beat Air Pollution

Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa announced "smog eating" surface as part of its pollution control plan, for which the government has also signed an MoU with IIT Madras.

The smog eating surfaces will be public surfaces coated with photocatalytic materials like titanium dioxide or TiO2 that is used to degrade pollutants.

Smog contains mainly nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, ozone, and particulate matter. When all of these interact with photocatalytic materials, gaseous pollutants convert into less harmful compounds, such as nitrogen oxides become nitrates or decompose into ions. This process is also known as pollutant mineralization.