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.

The National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune has confirmed Nipah virus infection in a 43-year-old man from Ramanattukara in Kerala's Kozhikode district.

The patient, who was earlier shifted from a private hospital to a dedicated Nipah isolation facility at Kozhikode Government Medical College Hospital, remains in critical condition and is currently on ventilator support under the close supervision of a team of specialists, as per officials.

The patient was initially transferred to the Medical College Hospital after testing positive in a preliminary examination conducted at the Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (VRDL). Following preliminary test results that suggested Nipah infection, the Kerala Health Department swung into action and intensified surveillance and containment measures in Kozhikode district.

77 Contacts Identified Through Tracing Efforts

After confirmation from NIV Pune, health authorities launched extensive contact-tracing efforts. District officials have identified 77 people who may have been exposed to the patient through contact tracing:

Notably, the patient's immediate family members—including his wife, two children, father, and mother—have been placed under quarantine.

In addition, two staff members of a private hospital in Kozhikode who interacted with the patient during earlier treatment have also been advised to remain in quarantine. Samples from five primary contacts have been sent to the VRDL laboratory for testing, as per media reports.

Also read: Ebola Survivors May Face COVID-Like Memory Loss and Brain Issues For Over 7 Years: NIH Study

No Need for Containment Zone Yet, Says Minister

As per District Collector M.S. Madhavikutty, none of the identified contacts are currently showing symptoms and there is no immediate need to declare a containment zone.

Health Minister K. Muraleedharan also stated that the current situation does not warrant the declaration of a containment zone in Ramanattukara.

"The 15 priority contacts have been advised to remain in quarantine. A rapid response team meeting was held to ensure the availability of PPE kits and gloves. There is no shortage of medicines, and additional supplies will arrive from Chennai," the minister said.

Officials Probing Possible Source of Infection

The patient's initial symptoms included a high fever about a week ago and was later hospitalized with symptoms suggestive of encephalitis. But as his condition worsened, doctors tested for Nipah infection, which turned positive.

He is likely to have been exposed to the virus while cleaning an old godown in Puthukad, Malappuram district, reportedly connected to his soap manufacturing business.

Another likely source of infection is a chikoo tree located on the patient's property, where officials have reportedly observed the presence of bats and bird droppings.

"Anyone developing fever should voluntarily isolate themselves, wear a mask, and avoid close contact with others. However, making masks mandatory for the public is not being considered at present, as the situation does not require such a measure," Madhavikutty told reporters.

This is the 11th Nipah outbreak reported in Kerala since the virus was first detected in the state in 2018.

What Is Nipah Virus?

According to the World Health Organization, Nipah virus is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can spread from animals to humans. It can also be transmitted through contaminated food and, in some cases, directly from person to person.

In humans, infection can range from asymptomatic illness to severe respiratory disease and fatal encephalitis (brain inflammation). The virus can also infect animals such as pigs, causing significant economic losses for farmers.

Although outbreaks have been limited mainly to parts of Asia, the virus is known for its high fatality rate and potential to cause severe disease.

Symptoms of Nipah Virus Infection

Common symptoms include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Breathing difficulties
• Cough and sore throat
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Muscle pain
• Severe weakness
• Dizziness
• Altered consciousness in severe cases
• Encephalitis (brain inflammation)

Why Is Nipah a Concern?

Nipah virus is considered a major public health threat because of:

• Its high mortality rate
• The ability to spread through close contact
• The absence of a specific antiviral treatment
• The lack of an approved vaccine for widespread use

People who survive Ebola virus disease (EVD) may continue to experience memory loss, irritability, and difficulty concentrating for more than seven years after recovering from the infection, according to a new study led by researchers at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

The findings come as Ebola outbreaks continue in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, where confirmed cases have surpassed 650 and more than 130 deaths have been reported.

Long-Term Neurological Problems

The NIH partnered with Liberia's Ministry of Health to study the long-term effects of the disease during the 2014–2016 Ebola epidemic in West Africa, which caused more than 28,000 infections and over 11,000 deaths across Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone.

Researchers evaluated 148 adult Ebola survivors and 81 uninfected close contacts who served as a comparison group. The results revealed that many people experienced significant neurological symptoms during the acute phase of the illness, some of which continued for seven long years.

During infection, survivors commonly reported headaches, altered mental status, and stroke-like symptoms. Long-term complications affected the brain and nervous system and included cognitive dysfunction, persistent headaches, sleep disturbances, depression, sexual dysfunction, tremors, fatigue, cranial nerve abnormalities, and abnormal sensations.

The researchers also found that headaches and neurological abnormalities remained more common among Ebola survivors than in people who had not been infected.

"Over time, survivors' symptoms and neurological examinations improved; however, more than 7 years later, a significant proportion continue to endorse memory loss," the researchers wrote in the study, published in JAMA Neurology.

Similarities to Long COVID

Also read: WHO Says Ebola Fight Is Catching Up; Expert Explains Science Behind Patient Recoveries

The study noted that many participants experienced symptoms similar to those seen in other post-infection conditions, including Long COVID and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). These symptoms included headaches, memory loss, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating.

"This suggests possible shared pathophysiology, including persistent viral antigen or immune dysregulation," the researchers said.

However, the authors pointed out some important differences. While Long COVID and ME/CFS are often associated with autonomic nervous system dysfunction, such problems were not clearly identified among Ebola survivors, although dizziness and light-headedness were common.

How Does Ebola Affect the Brain?

The exact cause of long-term neurological problems after Ebola infection remains unclear. The researchers explained that during the acute illness, brain-related symptoms may be due to widespread inflammation, electrolyte imbalances, low blood pressure, blood-clotting abnormalities, or direct infection of the brain and nervous system by the virus.

On the other hand, long-term neurological issues may stem from persistent immune system changes, prolonged recovery from severe illness, or lingering viral material in the body.

Need For Continued Mental Health Care

Read More: Ebola Bundibugyo Outbreak: UK Scientists Identify 23 Unique Mutations

The researchers emphasized that neurological care should be a priority for clinicians treating Ebola survivors.

"Survivors experienced headaches, memory loss, and fatigue that may significantly impact quality of life," the authors wrote.

They noted that headaches often respond to standard preventive treatments, but survivors should continue to be monitored because of the rare risk of Ebola-related relapse in the central nervous system.

The study also found that many survivors experienced symptoms of depression, including suicidal thoughts. Because symptoms such as headaches, memory problems, concentration difficulties, and sleep disturbances can overlap with psychiatric disorders, the researchers stressed the importance of mental health evaluation and care.

Fortunately, many of these symptoms appear to improve or resolve over time with appropriate treatment and support.

Will Bundibugyo Survivors Face Lasting Brain Issues?

The current Ebola outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain, which differs from the strain responsible for the 2014–2016 West African epidemic. Unlike the Zaire strain, there are currently no approved vaccines or antiviral treatments specifically for Bundibugyo Ebola, although some patients have recovered.

Researchers believe many of the long-term neurological effects observed in survivors of the West African outbreak could also occur in Bundibugyo survivors.

The World Cup is at the doorstep, and fans are excited to witness their favorite stars once again in their clash to get the golden trophy. It has been over 20 years since the World Cup returned to the US, though Canada and Mexico are also among the hosts. The fans are reaching America from all over the world. The players are also ready to make their mark on the largest scale of the sport.

Thus, it becomes crucial to keep the athletes fit and healthy. There is a huge team behind the scenes to treat and take care of your favorite stars, which requires strategy, planning, and most of all, accurate execution. On this backdrop comes a name that makes the difference known as the Pro Sports Doc, Riley J. Williams III, who is known to be an expert, and he will coordinate medical care during this demanding tournament.

The Pro Sports Doc, with his 20 years of experience, will be working and coordinating medical care in the New York / New Jersey area. In an interview with Muscle and Fitness, Riley J. Williams III put emphasis on players getting acclimatized and synchronizing their sleeping patterns with North America. He also mentioned creatine as a great health supplement. He also reveals that his team has readied the entire spectrum of possible medical issues that might occur while teams are in the market.

FIFA has also issued standard procedures to keep the players safe. Each Participating Member Association shall include at least one team medical doctor in its delegation, to be present in the technical area during all matches. It is a mandatory requirement that the team medical doctor of each Participating Member Association complete and successfully pass the “Concussion” and “Sudden Cardiac Arrest” modules of the FIFA Diploma in Football Medicine before the FIFA World Cup 26.

The team's medical doctor is responsible for the overall health of their team delegation and any clinical decision‑making in this regard, both on and off the field of play. Although the team doctors’ primary responsibility is to the players, their medical responsibility extends to all other members of the delegation. As such, all team doctors shall ensure that they have the appropriate registration and licence in their home country.

Each Participating Member Association shall ensure and confirm to FIFA that its players have undergone a cardiac screening, including personal and family history, clinical examination, and resting 12‑lead ECG, within the last 12 months and an echocardiography within the last 24 months before the start of the final competition of the FIFA World Cup 26. If specifically performed for the tournament, FIFA recommends that participating teams use the screening form developed by FIFA cardiology consultants.