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 Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), driven by the Bundibugyo virus, continues to grow rapidly.

According to the latest government data, the number of confirmed cases in the DRC has risen to 1,118, including 291 deaths.

As of June 24, Uganda had reported 20 confirmed cases, including two deaths. The most recent case was reported on June 21, and no new cases have been recorded since.

Among the confirmed cases in Uganda, 15 had travel links to the DRC and five were linked to local transmission.

Outside Africa, France has reported a confirmed Ebola case in a doctor who returned from a humanitarian mission in Ituri province, the hardest-hit region in the DRC, with 997 confirmed cases and nearly 280 deaths.

What Makes Bundibugyo Virus Unique?

Also read: Ebola Bundibugyo Strain: All You Should Know About The Rare Virus

Bundibugyo is one of the rarest Ebola virus strains. There have been only two previous outbreaks: one in Uganda in 2007 and another in the DRC in 2012, with case fatality rates of 32% and 55%, respectively.

A key difference is that there is currently no approved vaccine for the Bundibugyo strain. Vaccines are available for the Sudan and Zaire Ebola strains, but treatment for the Bundibugyo virus remains limited to supportive care.

The Unusual Symptoms Seen in Bundibugyo Patients

In a Correspondence published in The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), researchers from the Institut National de Santé Publique in Kinshasa analyzed the clinical characteristics of Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD).

Researchers recorded symptoms in 405 patients with confirmed BVD and 516 people who tested negative.

Among confirmed BVD patients, the most common symptoms were:

• Fever (74.3%)
• Diarrhea (67.4%)
• Vomiting (66.7%)
• Headache (42.2%)
• Loss of appetite (39.5%)
• Abdominal pain (37.3%)
• Difficulty breathing (34.1%)
• Difficulty swallowing (32.8%)
• Muscle pain (23.5%)
• Joint pain (22.7%)

Notably, bleeding-related symptoms, often associated with Ebola, were relatively uncommon and were reported in only 10.4% of patients at presentation.

Bundibugyo: Symptoms That Differed Between Men and Women

Read More: Global Hantavirus Response To End On July 2: WHO

The symptom profile was largely similar across age groups and between men and women. However, fever was slightly less common among men, while headaches became less frequent with increasing age. Men were also somewhat more likely to report cough and chest pain, the researchers said.

Bundibugyo: Symptoms That Distinguished Confirmed Cases

Compared with people who tested negative, patients with confirmed BVD were much more likely to experience gastrointestinal and systemic symptoms.

• Vomiting: 66.7% vs. 50.8%
• Diarrhea: 67.4% vs. 49.6%
• Loss of appetite: 39.5% vs. 17.2%
• Abdominal pain: 37.3% vs. 16.3%
• Difficulty breathing: 34.1% vs. 10.9%
• Difficulty swallowing: 32.8% vs. 10.7%
• Fever: 74.3% vs. 64.9%

How Was The Study Conducted

The researchers reviewed 2,351 recorded cases in the individual-level database for BVD between May 3 and June 8, 2026.

Of these, 505 patients (21.5%) had laboratory-confirmed BVD based on PCR testing, while 635 patients (27.0%) who were suspected of having the disease tested negative.

Researchers noted that patients with confirmed BVD were demographically similar to those who tested negative. In both groups, most patients were adults aged 20 to 39 years, and women slightly outnumbered men.

Higher Viral Load Linked to Death

Among 253 patients with laboratory-confirmed infection tested using the RADIONE PCR assay in Bunia, Ituri Province, researchers found that patients who died generally had lower cycle-threshold (Ct) values, indicating a higher viral load, than those who survived.

Among 129 patients with available symptom-onset and sample-collection dates, the mean delay between symptom onset and testing was 7.4 days, with a median delay of 4.8 days.

Earlier diagnosis and treatment could improve survival rates and help reduce virus transmission within communities, the researchers said.

Europe is facing a record heatwave, and the extreme heat has reportedly claimed 212 lives in Spain between June 21 and June 24, according to estimates from a public institute.

The estimate is based on the MoMo monitoring system, which collects daily statistics on deaths in Spain and calculates variations in mortality by comparing them with predictable levels based on historical data.

Record June Temperatures In Spain

Mainland Spain this week recorded its highest daily average temperatures in June since at least 1950, with Monday's figure of 28.08°C followed by 28.17°C on June 23, AFP reported.

Those two days also marked the highest average minimum temperatures for June since 1950, with 20.14°C recorded on Monday and 19.81°C on June 23. These so-called "tropical nights" make sleep challenging and can threaten public health.

Spain had also recorded its highest heat-related mortality for the month of May since records began in 2015, as per data from the Health Ministry. As per the MoMo system, May 2026 recorded 101 deaths attributable to high temperatures, the highest figure for this month since the series began in 2015.

Heatwave Triggers Alerts Across Europe

Also read: WHO Sounds Alarm on Europe's Extreme Heat: Here's How Hot It Could Get Across Countries

The extreme heat is not limited to Spain. The June 2026 heatwave has triggered red alerts across France, Spain, Italy, and the United Kingdom, and killed dozens of people.

In France, the heatwave forced the early closure of major Paris tourist attractions, including the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum. At least 40 people have drowned seeking relief from the heat since June 18, as per the French Prime Minister

Poultry farmers across France say that hundreds of thousands of their livestock have died during the extreme heat.

The UK has provisionally recorded its warmest June night on record, surpassing a record set in 1976. Temperatures could climb to 37-38°C, potentially breaking the June heat record for a second consecutive day.

In Italy, heatwave leaves 4 dead as 17 cities face red alert. Authorities warn even healthy people are at risk as temperatures remain dangerously high.

WHO Warns of Growing Health Risks

“Europe’s heatwave is closing schools and putting people’s health at risk. The data are clear: temperatures across Europe are rising at roughly twice the global average rate, increasing the likelihood and severity of extreme heat in the future,” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, shared in a post on social media platform X.

“We cannot afford further delay. Leaders must prioritize investment in climate-resilient health systems, while also accelerating #ClimateAction and mitigating the drivers of the climate crisis,” he added.

What Is Driving the Extreme Heat?

Read To Know: UK Met Office Warns of 'Pollen Bomb': What Hay Fever Patients Need to Know

According to meteorologists, the soaring temperatures are being driven by a weather pattern known as an "omega block".

This blocks cooler Atlantic air from entering the region while drawing hot air northward from North Africa and the Sahara. The persistent high-pressure system acts like a lid, trapping heat near the ground and allowing temperatures to climb steadily over several days.

How Does Heat Impact Health?

Health experts warn that prolonged exposure to extreme heat can have serious and sometimes fatal consequences, particularly for older adults and people with underlying medical conditions.

According to the WHO, extreme heat can overwhelm the body's ability to regulate temperature, increasing the risk of heat exhaustion and heatstroke. As the body works harder to cool itself, it places added strain on the heart and kidneys, potentially worsening chronic conditions such as cardiovascular, respiratory, mental health and diabetes-related illnesses, and increasing the risk of acute kidney injury.

The health impact of heat depends on factors such as its intensity, duration and timing, as well as how well people and local systems are adapted to high temperatures.

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.

India has taken a significant step to strengthen the safety and authenticity of medicines by expanding its QR code-based drug traceability system.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has amended the Drugs Rules, 1945, bringing additional categories of medicines—including vaccines, anti-cancer drugs and antimicrobials—under the Schedule H2 track-and-trace framework.

The move is aimed at enhancing supply chain transparency, curbing counterfeit medicines and enabling patients to verify key details about their medicines through a simple QR code scan.

In 2025, the government made it mandatory for the top 300 pharmaceutical companies to print or affix QR (Quick Response) codes on the packaging of the medicines they sell.

The new amendment significantly expands its coverage to include:

• Vaccines
• Antimicrobials
• Anti-cancer medicines
• Narcotic and psychotropic drugs

Also read: India Ends OTC Sale of Cough Syrups, Doctor's Prescription Now Mandatory

What Does The Amendment Say?

The amendment applies to all vaccines, antimicrobials, narcotic and psychotropic drugs covered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.

All anti-cancer drugs have also been included under Schedule H2 of the Drugs Rules, 1945.

What Patients Can Check With The QR Code

According to the Health Ministry, manufacturers of these drug formulations will now be required to print or affix a Bar Code or Quick Response (QR) Code on the primary packaging label of the product or, where there is inadequate space, on the secondary packaging label.

The QR code shall store information that can be accessed through software applications to facilitate authentication and verification of the product throughout the supply chain.

The QR code will contain key product information, including:

• Unique product identification code
• Generic and brand names
• Name and address of the manufacturer
• Batch number
• Manufacturing and expiry dates
• Manufacturing license number
• Details of excipients, wherever applicable.

Read More: Sleeping Too Little or Too Much? Neurologist Explains Health Risks

Why Does This Matter?

The enhanced traceability mechanism is aimed at facilitating authentication of medicines at various stages of the supply chain and enabling improved tracking and verification of drug products, the Ministry noted.

The measure is expected to strengthen regulatory oversight and support efforts to curb the distribution of spurious medicines in the market.

It will also contribute to the national fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by enabling better identification and monitoring of counterfeit and substandard antimicrobial products.

Recognizing the need to provide adequate time to industry and other stakeholders for implementation, the Ministry has also prescribed phased timelines for compliance.

From When Will It Be Applicable?

As per the Ministry, the provisions relating to vaccines, narcotic and psychotropic drugs, and anti-cancer medicines shall come into force from July 1, 2027.

The provisions relating to antimicrobials shall become effective from July 1, 2028.

Increasing Counterfeit Medicines In India

The government's QR code move comes amid mounting concern over counterfeit and substandard medicines in the Indian market.

In May, the Central Drugs Laboratories identified 46 drug samples as Not of Standard Quality (NSQ), while State Drugs Testing Laboratories identified 113 drug samples as Not of Standard Quality (NSQ), according to the Health Ministry.

Further, one drug sample from Assam was identified as a spurious drug. It was manufactured by unauthorized manufacturers using a brand name owned by another company. The matter is under investigation and action will be taken as per the Act and Rules.