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.

Delhi's pollution continues to worsen, and every day, there is new data on its AQI levels, suggesting the conditions Delhiites are living in, unable to breathe, go out, and much more. In fact, 60.3% of Delhi-NCR residents have sought pollution-related medical assistance last year, showed a survey by SmyttenPulseAI. The number is severe and points towards a healthcare crisis in the making.

The survey also showed that 80% of residents reported experiencing persistent health issues, which included chronic cough, debilitating fatigue, and respiratory irritation due to polluted air.

How Was The Study Conducted?

It was a study that surveyed 4,000 residents across Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Ghaziabad, and Faridabad and found that 76.4% of respondents have drastically reduced outdoor time. This means they have turned their homes into the only place of solace, often like virtual prisons for families to hide from the toxic air outside.

The survey also found that 79.8% of the residents are either reconsidering their stay or have already left, with 33.6% planning their departure, while 31% are actively considering relocating, and 15.2% have already relocated.

Why the relocation? s Dr Rahul Chawla, a neurologist trained at AIIMS, who, on his Instagram, posted a video where he suggested that if people can afford, and their profession allows, they must leave Delhi for a few weeks. “Because this city has become a gas chamber,” he warned.

The survey is a reflection of the same thought, with 37% residents who have already taken concrete steps of visiting properties in nearby cities. They have enquired for schools, or have made family decisions about leaving. The preferred destination for most are: hilly areas, small towns with fewer factories, and anywhere outside Delhi-NCR that does not mean to continuous keep an eye on AQI monitor app while breathing, as reported by NDTV.

The report said pollution has added a heavy economic burden on middle-class families, with 85.3 per cent noticing higher household expenses because of it. Among them, 41.6 per cent said the financial strain has been significant.

If You Cannot Leave Delhi, Here's What You Can Do

Stay Indoors

Dr Chawla suggested that one should stay indoors as much as possible. "You can open the windows and doors only between 1 and 3pm in the day, when you feel that the sun is bright, so that the house gets proper ventilation," he said.

Why 1pm to 3pm is the only time he suggests to have exposure with air? As per a 2023 study by an air filter brand, Delhi's air pollution peaked at 9AM and gradually improved as the day progressed. On an average, Delhi sees roughly as half as much PM2.5 by 5PM. Similarly, in Kolkata, the pollution peaks at 8am and is lowered by 4PM. This is why the safest time to have any sort of air exposure is in the afternoon. Pollution levels also tend to be slightly lower in the afternoon because it is when the sun is at its peak. This heats the ground and causes warm air to rise and mix with atmosphere. This helps disperse pollutants.

He also advised against cleaning inside the house using a dry cloth, and suggested wet cloth to be in use, so that dust does not rise. "Please do not light up things inside the house like burning dhoop (incense for worship), agarbatti (incense sticks), or anything else that causes excessive smoke,” he said.

Use N95 Mask

“If there are elderly people at home, do not let them go for morning walks or evening walks, and if there are children, do not let them play in the park. Exercise at home. You can go up and down the stairs. You can do yoga. If you have a treadmill or a stationary bike at home, you can exercise with it. You can do weightlifting,” he said. However, he suggested that if going out is absolutely necessary, then one must wear N-95 mask properly before stepping out.

Air Purifier

“If you can afford an air purifier, buy one. But keep in mind that the air purifier you are buying should be appropriate for the size of your room,” the neurologist advised.

Work From Home

The neurologist also suggested that if your company permits it, seek work from home option to reduce your exposure from toxic air.

Ozempic, Wegovy, Saxenda, Trulicity, Mounjaro, all from different brands, with different active ingredient but all are GLP-1-type drugs, which have now been linked with depression, suicidal thoughts, and changes in mood and behavior. As a result, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Australia released a safety alert on Monday to update the product warnings of GLP-1-type drugs.

This is to "ensure consistent information regarding the potential risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviours". The alert said, "The updates follow investigations by TGA and other international regulators. Patients taking any of these medicines should tell their health professional if they experience new or worsening depression, suicidal thoughts or any unusual changes in mood or behaviour."

While the TGA noted that not enough evidences were there to conclude the drugs caused such changes however, there is indeed a complex relationship between mental illness and conditions GLP-1 drug treat, that could be associated with suicidal thoughts, which cannot be ignored.

GLP-1 Drugs Sold In Australia

• Ozempic (semaglutide)
• Wegovy (semaglutide)
• Saxenda (liraglutide)
• Trulicity (dulaglutide)
• Mounjaro (tirzepatide)

Weight Loos Drugs For Women

The TGA has issued a separate warning about a possible link between the GLP-1 drug tirzepatide, sold as Mounjaro, and reduced effectiveness of oral contraceptives. The regulator said it cannot rule out the possibility that the medication may interfere with how well oral birth control works. As a precaution, product information for tirzepatide has been updated to include clearer advice for patients who rely on the pill.

According to the TGA, women who are taking tirzepatide should consider switching to a non-oral contraceptive or using an additional barrier method for four weeks after starting the medicine. The same advice applies for four weeks after each time the dose is increased.

The alert also reminded patients that GLP-1 medications should not be used during pregnancy.

What Are GLP-1 Drugs And How Do They Work?

GLP-1 drugs have become widely known for helping people manage type 2 diabetes and obesity. They work by copying the action of a natural hormone that slows digestion and helps people stay full for longer. Their popularity has skyrocketed over the past few years, but there has also been ongoing discussion about their potential mental health effects.

Some studies overseas have suggested that people with anxiety or depression might face a higher risk of depression, anxiety or suicidal thoughts when taking these medications.

The US Food and Drug Administration has been reviewing reports of suicidal thoughts among people using GLP-1 drugs. So far, the agency says it has not found evidence that the medications directly cause these thoughts, although it notes that the number of cases is small and it cannot completely rule out a possible risk.

The TGA highlighted similar concerns in its safety update. The agency has received 72 reports of suicidal thoughts from people taking GLP-1 drugs, along with a smaller number of reports involving suicide, attempted suicide or depression-related suicide.

With an estimated half a million Australians now using these medicines, the regulator launched a detailed review and sought advice from the Advisory Committee on Medicines. The committee concluded that the available evidence does not support a clear link between GLP-1 drugs and suicidal or self-harming behaviour. However, it recommended updating product information to ensure consistency and to promote awareness without suggesting a proven causal connection.

Eli Lilly announced a significant reduction in cash princes of its popular weight loss drug, Zepbound, which are sold through its direct to consumer platform, LillyDirect. This move will expand the ongoing efforts by both the company and the Trump administration to make obesity and diabetes medications for affordable for Americans.

The announcement comes right after its rival Novo Nordisk decided to introduce additional cash price discounts on its popular obesity and diabetes drugs.

What Is In For Patients? New, Lower Monthly Costs

Starting Monday, patients who pay cash and have a valid prescription can purchase Zepbound’s starting-dose single-dose vials for as low as $299 per month, reduced from the previous $349. The next dose, 5 milligrams, will cost $399 per month, while all higher doses will now be $449 per month, down from $499.

These discounts are substantial considering Zepbound’s list price of about $1,086 per month. Combined with inconsistent insurance coverage for weight-loss medications in the U.S., the high list price has long posed an access barrier for many patients.

Push To Expand Access of Weight Loss And Diabetes Drugs For Those Who Need It

The price cuts come on the heels of President Donald Trump’s recently signed agreements with Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk. These deals aim to make GLP-1 drugs, widely used for weight loss and Type 2 diabetes, more affordable and accessible.

Under the agreements, the government will pay reduced prices for the medications, Medicare will for the first time cover obesity drugs for certain patients, and Americans will be able to purchase discounted doses through the government’s upcoming direct-to-consumer platform, TrumpRx, launching in January, 2026.

However, the Trump–Eli Lilly agreement focuses specifically on lowering future prices for multi-dose pen versions of Zepbound after they receive FDA approval. That makes Monday’s announcement especially meaningful: patients can benefit immediately from discounted pricing on the currently available single-dose vials.

Eli Lilly emphasized its commitment to widening access to obesity treatments. “We will keep working to provide more options, expanding choices for delivery devices and creating new pathways for access—so more people can get the medicines they need,” said Ilya Yuffa, president of Lilly USA and global customer capabilities.

How Does Zepbound Work?

Zepbound is a dual agonist, targeting both GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) and GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) receptors. This dual-action approach activates two pathways that amplify insulin secretion, slow gastric emptying, and reduce appetite, ultimately aiding in weight loss. Intresitngly, this drug was linked ot other benefits besides weight loss. Research has found that Zepbound may also offer additional health benefits, including improved cardiovascular health and potential effects on obstructive sleep apnea.

The results of the clinical trials were published on Dec 4. It showed that participants taking Zepbound lost an average of 50.3 lbs, compared to 33.1 lbs with Wegovy. Moreover, nearly 32% of those on Zepbound achieved at least a 25% reduction in body weight, while only 16.1% of Wegovy users reached this milestone.

However, the efficacy of these medicines are variable for different individual. Health experts have repeatedly cautioned that individual responses to each medication can differ. Factors such as medical history and body composition play a role in how well a person responds to these medications, so one may be more effective than the other for certain individuals.