After mpox outbreak, Africa is under the threat of yet another virus outbreak, this is the Marburg virus outbreak in Rwanda. So far, six people have died from the outbreak, confirmed the health minister. Most victims were the healthcare workers in the hospital's intensive care unit. As per reports, 20 cases have been identified since the outbreak was confirmed on Friday.

What Is Marbug Virus?

With the fatality rate of 8% it is the same virus family as Ebola. The main carrier is from fruit bats which spreads to humans then through the contact of bodily fluids of infected individuals, it spreads to others.

Common Signs And Symptoms

The common signs and symptoms of the Marburg virus include fever, pain, diarrhoea, vomiting and in the case of extreme blood loss, death too can happen.

So far, there is no specific treatment or vaccine for the virus. However, treatments like drugs and immune therapy are being developed as per the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Call Of Action

Rwanda says that it has intensified its contact tracing, surveillance and testing to contain the spread. It has also tracked about 300 people who had come into contact with individuals affected by the Marburg virus.

The health minister has urged people to stay vigilant and avoid any physical contact and to wash their hands with clean water, soap or sanitiser and report any suspected case.

As of now, most of the cases have spread to the capital in Kigali. In light of this, the US Embassy in the city has advised its employees to work remotely for the next week.

This is the first time Rwanda has confirmed for Marburg cases, before this, in 2023, Tanzania confirmed the outbreak, whereas three people had died of this in Uganda in 2017.

History Of Marburg

As per WHO, this virus kills half of the people it infects. In the previous outbreaks, it has killed between 24% to 88% of the patients.

The virus was first detected in 1976 after 31 people were infected, out of which 7 died in simultaneous outbreak in Marburg and Frankfurt in Germany, and Belgrade in Serbia.

The source was traced to African green monkeys who were imported from Uganda. However, other animals too are linked to the virus spread, including bats.

In the past, the virus outbreaks have happened in countries like Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. In 2005, this virus killed 300 people in Angola.

However, for the rest of the world, only two people have died from the virus in the rest of the world, with one of them being in Europe, and the other in the US. These both have been on expeditions to caves in Uganda.

Amid worsening air pollution in Delhi, the Supreme Court on Monday allowed certified green crackers in Delhi-NCR on November 7 and 8, ahead of Diwali. The complete ban on firecrackers will return on November 9, the court said.

The decision comes as Delhi's air quality deteriorates. The city's Air Quality Index (AQI) entered the 'very poor' category for the first time this season on Monday, reaching 312 at 9 am, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). This was the morning reading, with the daily average due at 4 pm.

An AQI of 301–400 is classified as 'very poor', while readings above 400 fall in the 'severe' category.

The court imposed the following restrictions:

• Timings: Green crackers can be burst only between 6–7 am and 8–10 pm on November 7 and 8.
• No-cracker zones: Their use is prohibited within 300 metres of hospitals, nursing homes, health centres, old-age homes and educational institutions. These areas must be clearly marked.

Manufacturers and traders must also furnish monetary security, which will be forfeited if they violate the court's order.

Also read: Rising AQI In Delhi-NCR: Doctors Warn Of Lung And Heart Risks As Pollution Builds

What Are Green Crackers?

Developed by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), green crackers are designed to produce fewer emissions than conventional firecrackers.

They are designed to generate lower particulate emissions and produce less noise through modified chemical formulations and dust-suppressing additives.

Are Green Crackers Really Safe For Your Health?

Read More: Landmark Study Links Air Pollution To Higher Hospital Admissions For Cancers & Mental Health Disorders: Lancet

Green crackers may be less polluting than conventional fireworks, but they are not pollution-free. Their chemical combustion still releases particulate matter and gases that can affect respiratory health.

"Green crackers produce fewer emissions than conventional crackers, but calling them safe is misleading. CSIR-NEERI’s criteria require at least 30% lower particulate emissions, or 20% lower particulate emissions plus 10% lower gaseous emissions, compared with corresponding conventional crackers. These are emission benchmarks, not proof of an equivalent reduction in health risk," Dr. Vikas Mittal, Director and Pulmonologist at CK Birla Hospital, Delhi, told HealthandMe.

He added that smoke from green crackers contains particles and irritant gases that can aggravate asthma and COPD. Children, older adults and people with existing lung disease are particularly vulnerable.

"Legal permission does not establish medical safety. For lung health, celebrating without firecrackers remains the safest choice," the expert said.

Dr. Nikhil Rajvanshi, Consultant – Pediatric Pulmonologist, Allergy and Sleep Specialist at Rainbow Children's Hospital, Delhi, also cautioned against assuming that green crackers are pollution-free.

"They should not be mistaken for pollution-free products. They can still release particulate matter and harmful gases that irritate the respiratory tract. Children are particularly vulnerable because their lungs are still developing, and exposure can trigger coughing, wheezing, breathlessness and asthma exacerbations," he told HealthandMe.

He added that children with pre-existing respiratory conditions are at even greater risk. Even reduced emissions can contribute to poor air quality when crackers are used collectively. Parents should prioritise avoiding exposure rather than assuming green crackers are completely safe for children's lungs.

Do Green Crackers Contain Harmful Chemicals?

A 2020 survey by Sumaira Abdulali of the Awaaz Foundation, which works to prevent environmental and noise pollution, raised concerns about chemicals in commercially available firecrackers in Mumbai.

According to Frontline, all 28 crackers tested contained hazardous chemicals prohibited under the Hazardous Chemicals Rules.

The Foundation also tested green crackers, including sparklers, chakris and anars, some carrying NEERI's green cracker certification mark.

The tests reportedly detected barium nitrate, potassium nitrate and sulphur. Barium nitrate was among the chemicals prohibited by the Supreme Court in October 2018.

The US has reported a death linked to H5N1 bird flu in Washington state, where health officials have confirmed another human case in Yakima County. All three infections were linked to exposure to infected dairy cattle.

The person who died developed severe avian influenza after exposure to infected dairy cattle and had underlying health conditions, according to the Yakima Health District. The patient was hospitalised before dying. The health district has not disclosed the person's age, gender or identity, citing family privacy.

The infected case involves another Yakima County resident who was exposed to infected dairy cattle but has not developed severe illness or required hospitalisation.

Health officials stressed that the risk to the general public remains low. Human-to-human transmission of avian influenza is extremely rare and has never been documented in the US.

Why Are Scientists Concerned?

Scientists have called for genomic sequencing, exposure investigations and contact tracing to establish whether the infections are linked and identify any concerning viral changes.

Dr Marion Koopmans, Professor of Public Health Virology at the Department of Viroscience, Erasmus Medical Centre, Netherlands, flagged the possibility of different influenza viruses circulating simultaneously.

"Expect to see co-circulation of bovine and human influenza, with risk of reassortment. Therefore important to hear of contact tracing results," she wrote on X. Reassortment occurs when influenza viruses exchange genetic material after infecting the same host.

Also read: Washington Reports Human Bird Flu Case After Dairy Cattle Exposure: Should You Be Worried?

Dr Krutika Kuppalli, Associate Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, said the cases were concerning reminders that the threat persists even when public attention shifts elsewhere.

In a post on X, she also highlighted four areas requiring timely information:

• Genomic sequencing: To establish whether the viruses from both cases are related and identify concerning genetic changes

• Exposure histories: To determine whether the patients had shared exposures or epidemiological links

• Clinical details: Including symptoms and disease progression

• Treatment and outcomes: To understand the care received and clinical outcomes.

"Just because we want to ignore infectious diseases doesn't mean they've gone away," Kuppalli said, stressing the importance of continued surveillance as pathogens circulate and evolve.

Why Is H5N1 Spread Among Mammals Concerning?

Dr Angela Rasmussen, a virologist at the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization, University of Saskatchewan, Canada, has also raised concerns about H5N1 infections in mammals, particularly mink.

Referring to a bird flu outbreak at a mink farm in Utah, she warned that unchecked spread among mammals could increase the risk of viral adaptation to humans.

Mink have similar susceptibility and respiratory physiology to humans, Rasmussen noted, raising concerns about the virus potentially adapting to human hosts as it evolves in these animals.

"We don't know if H5N1 will ever make that evolutionary leap or not. We know that it could. But I hope we don't find out," she wrote on X.

"A worst case bird flu pandemic could literally kill hundreds of millions of people & cause agricultural, ecological, & economic collapse," Rasmussen warned.

Read More: US Bird Flu: Can H5N1 Trigger The Next Pandemic?

Should You Be Worried About Bird Flu?

The risk to the general public remains low, health officials have said. However, people with close or prolonged contact with infected animals or contaminated environments face a higher risk. These include dairy and agricultural workers, backyard flock owners, hunters and wildlife workers.

Public health officials are contacting people who had close contact with the patients and monitoring them for symptoms for 14 days after their last exposure.

How Can You Reduce Your Risk Of Bird Flu?

READ: H5 Bird Flu Spreads To Australian Mammals: Is It Nearing Humans?

People who work with or come into contact with animals should take precautions to minimise exposure to avian influenza.

Recommendations include:

• Avoid touching wild birds and other animals, including those that appear healthy

• Stay away from sick or dead animals, bird droppings and potentially contaminated surfaces.

• Workers exposed to infected animals should wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), follow recommended precautions and report suspected illness in animals.

• Hunters should wear disposable gloves when handling harvested birds and practise good hygiene.

• Ask your healthcare provider about seasonal flu vaccination. It does not prevent bird flu but may reduce the risk of simultaneous infection with human and avian influenza viruses.

Indian television actor Anuj Thakur died at the age of 33 after reportedly suffering a seizure in his sleep. Thakur, who appeared in television shows like Dhoom Machao Dhoom and Bandhan Saath Janmon Ka, died at his Mumbai home on October 27. His friend and casting director Rupesh Sonar confirmed the news on November 2, saying the actor's family had told him that Thakur suffered a seizure during the night.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Sonar recalled, “I was shocked to hear that he had gone to sleep at night and never woke up.”

He also revealed that Thakur had experienced another seizure earlier in 2026 and was getting treated for it. According to Sonar, the actor's mother found him unresponsive when she went to wake him in the morning.

Although the exact medical cause of Thakur's death has not been confirmed yet, the incident raises questions about when seizures occurring during sleep can become life-threatening.

When Can Nocturnal Seizures Turn Fatal?

We spoke to Dr Praveen Gupta, Chairman - Marengo Asia International Institute of Neurology and Spine (MAIINS), Marengo Asia Hospitals, Gurugram, about the dangers of seizures during sleep. He said that nocturnal seizures are more dangerous because they may go unnoticed and help may be delayed.

Dr Gupta explained, "A seizure during sleep can sometimes be fatal even in someone who has never been diagnosed with epilepsy. The majority of seizures stop spontaneously, yet some seizures may interfere with normal breathing, have an effect on the rhythm of the heart and decrease oxygen supply to the brain. A dangerous aspect occurs when a seizure occurs while sleeping because the person may be alone or unable to call for help. It is important to treat a first seizure seriously because it can be related to dangers that require immediate evaluation by a doctor."

By Dr. Arindam Das, Senior Consultant - Neurology, Narayana RN Tagore Hospital, Mukundapur, Kolkata, told us that seizures can also be the first sign of a neurological issue. He added even if not all seizures will cause problems, any unexplained seizures should be checked out by a neurologist to determine the cause and find the right treatment.

Signs Of Nocturnal Seizures

The doctors said that signs of nocturnal seizures are subtle. Dr Gupta said, "Look for unexplained tongue biting, wet bedding from incontinence, or bruises or injuries found in the morning."

He also said that it is normal to wake up very tired and confused, with a headache and muscle soreness. He added that a person may notice sudden stiffening, jerking, , or odd movements. Some people may also experience unexplained sleepiness during the day.

Dr Manish Chhabria, Senior Consultant – Neurologist, Sir H. N. Reliance Foundation Hospital, said, "Signs a bed partner may notice are sudden body movements or jerks, movements, strange gurgles, complex or violent behaviors, vocalizations, sudden awakening with confusion or panic."

Dr Das advised, "If you are having repeated episodes then you should not ignore them. A neurological assessment can be done to help determine if there is abnormal brain activity. This can be done with investigations such as an EEG.

What Conditions May Cause Nocturnal Seizures?

Also read: Woman With Epilepsy Dies After Following ChatGPT’s Advice To Stop Medication: Why AI Cannot Replace A Doctor

Dr Chhabria said, "A seizure in sleep can be fatal even if one doesn’t have a prior history of it or never has been diagnosed of it."

Nocturnal seizures can occur due to many conditions, including epilepsy, brain infections, strokes and brain injuries, electrolyte imbalance, alcohol or drugs withdrawal.

Epilepsy

Epilepsy is the most common condition that can lead to repeated nocturnal seizures. Changes in brain electrical activity during different sleep stages can make seizures more likely in susceptible individuals. Certain forms are commonly associated with sleep. They include:

• Sleep-related hypermotor epilepsy, previously called nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy
• Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy
• Epilepsy with generalised tonic-clonic seizures alone
• Other epilepsy syndromes

Brain infections

Infections affecting the brain like meningitis and encephalitis, can cause seizures by triggering inflammation and disrupting normal electrical activity in the brain.

Stroke and brain injuries

A stroke, bleeding in the brain or traumatic brain injury can damage brain tissue and trigger seizures. These may occur during sleep or even while awake.

Electrolyte disturbances

Certain abnormalities in the body's chemistry can trigger seizures. These disturbances can affect the electrical signalling between nerve cells. They include:

• Severe hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar)
• Low blood sodium
• Low calcium levels

Alcohol or drug withdrawal

Heavy alcohol use followed by sudden withdrawal can trigger seizures. Certain recreational drugs, including cocaine and amphetamines, can also provoke seizures.

Certain medications

Some medicines, including particular antidepressants and pain medications, can lower the seizure threshold, especially at high doses or in susceptible individuals.

Also read: What Causes Epilepsy? 5 Common Reasons Why It Happens

What Can Be Done To Prevent Nocturnal Seizures?

Anti-seizure medicines should be taken according to the schedule prescribed by the doctor. People who continue to experience seizures should consult their neurologist to review their treatment. Doctors may adjust doses, change medicines or consider other treatment options depending on the cause and frequency of seizures.

Dr Gupta said, "Taking your anti-seizure medication as prescribed is the best way to prevent seizures. Other good habits like getting enough sleep as well as not drinking alcohol and controlling stress also help. Safety options can get help quickly like a bed alarm, seizure monitor and sharing a room. Regular follow-ups help doctors to tweak the treatments."

The Epilepsy Foundation also recommends maintaining regular sleep patterns, avoiding excessive alcohol consumption and identifying seizure triggers.

Dr Chhabria recommended safe sleeping strategies "like side-lying positions, specialized anti-suffocation or lattice pillows, and creating clear emergency response plan does help prevent a catastophe."

For people who experience frequent seizures during sleep, nocturnal supervision may be considered. This can include having someone nearby who can provide assistance during the seizure.

Dr Das advised, "Family members should also be educated on how to give first aid during a seizure. Early intervention and good treatment can greatly improve your seizure control and reduce your risk."

What Should Someone Do During A Seizure?

Knowing seizure first aid can help prevent injuries and other complications. If someone experiences a seizure:

• Move nearby objects away to prevent injuries.
• Cushion their head with something soft.
• Loosen tight clothing around the neck.
• Turn them gently onto their side when possible, particularly after the convulsions stop.
• Do not restrain their movements or put anything inside their mouth.
• Monitor and time the seizure and stay with the person until they recover.

Emergency medical assistance is necessary if a seizure lasts five minutes or longer, another seizure begins before the person recovers, breathing becomes difficult or the person is injured.