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.

Yoga helps people live a balanced life and is an expression of the human spirit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday while leading the 12th International Day of Yoga celebrations from Kolkata.

"From physical wellness to inner peace, yoga enriches every aspect of life. Delighted to join this year’s celebrations in Kolkata," PM Modi said, in a post on social media platform X.

Addressing a large gathering, PM Modi said yoga has evolved into the world's largest community celebration, bringing together people across countries, cultures, and generations.

"June 21, the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, is now recognized worldwide as a day of yoga," he said.

"Yoga brings people together. I congratulate people across the world on this occasion. Yoga is not just physical exercise, nor is it restricted to any age group. It is an expression of the human spirit," the Prime Minister added.

Yoga Day Theme: Healthy Ageing

The theme for International Day of Yoga 2026 is "Yoga for Healthy Ageing," highlighting yoga's role in promoting physical health, mental well-being, emotional resilience, and active ageing, thereby improving overall quality of life.

PM Modi emphasized that yoga is a powerful tool for fostering both personal well-being and social harmony.

Thousands Join Yoga Session at Kolkata's Maidan

Participating in the Common Yoga Protocol session, the Prime Minister performed yoga alongside thousands of practitioners at Kolkata's iconic Maidan, with the Indian Army's Eastern Command headquarters forming part of the backdrop.

"Yoga helps us live in a balanced manner and teaches us what to do and what to avoid," PM Modi said.

"Our goal should be to be more energetic at 50 than we were at 30," he added.

Yoga Connects Mental and Physical Well-Being

Also read: Yoga Or Cardio: Which Is Better For Your Heart Health? Experts Explain

Highlighting the connection between mental and physical health, the Prime Minister said, "Yoga helps us find the path to physical fitness through mental well-being."

He urged people to make yoga an integral part of their daily lives rather than limiting it to special occasions.

"We should not restrict yoga to particular occasions; it must become a part of our lifestyle," he said.

UN Chief Highlights Yoga's Global Appeal

Meanwhile, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also extended greetings on the occasion of International Day of Yoga.

In a post on X, Guterres highlighted yoga's global appeal and its contribution to physical and mental well-being.

"From its deep roots in ancient India, yoga has become truly universal, helping millions of people of all faiths and cultures find calm, build strength, and live with purpose," he said.

A Global Movement Rooted in Ancient India

Over the years, International Day of Yoga has grown into a global movement, serving as a cultural bridge that connects people across continents. The word "yoga" is derived from the Sanskrit term yuj, meaning "to join" or "to unite," reflecting its essence of harmonizing the body, mind, and spirit.

The experts stressed the urgent need to tackle India's growing obesity crisis—particularly among children.

Speaking during a panel discussion on the future of women's and child healthcare, Dr. Sivaranjani Santosh, often referred to as the "ORS Lady of India," praised India's public health achievements, including the successful Pulse Polio Program, malaria control efforts, and improvements in child nutrition.

However, she cautioned that new challenges now threaten the country's health gains.

"There were many things we are lagging a bit also," Dr. Santosh said, stressing the need for fair food labelling, responsible marketing, and stricter regulation of irrational drug combinations.

She issued a stark warning about unhealthy eating habits, saying, "This junk food pandemic, this is where India needs to really, really focus on. Childhood obesity is a pandemic now. And it's like do or die right now for us."

Her comments highlighted growing concerns that poor nutrition and processed foods are driving obesity among children, increasing their risk of chronic illnesses later in life.

Also Read: Times Now Health Summit 2026: AI Cannot Replace Doctors, It Can Only Complement, Says Dr Santosh Sivaranjani

Echoing the concerns, Dr. T. Rajeshwari Reddy, Senior Consultant Obstetrician, Gynecologist, and Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgeon at Continental Hospital, explained that unhealthy lifestyles beginning in childhood are now contributing to a rise in hormonal disorders, infertility, and high-risk pregnancies.

"We are seeing a lot of people with hormonal imbalances and a lot of issues from teens, and that is what gets translated into infertility and high-risk pregnancy," she said.

Dr. Rajeshwari stressed that prevention must begin early. "The beginning has to be from birth only," she said, urging families to prioritize home-cooked meals, healthy routines, adequate sleep, and reduced screen time. She added that preventive healthcare should become the foundation of India's health strategy over the next decade.

Experts agreed that the future of Indian healthcare will depend on preventive medicine, technology, artificial intelligence, and stronger public-private partnerships to improve access to healthcare, particularly in rural areas.

They urged that India's fight against childhood obesity and lifestyle-related diseases must begin at home, with healthier food choices, greater awareness, and prevention from an early age.

Meanwhile, the AI in healthcare panel featured Prof. Renu John, IIT Hyderabad; Nishan Ali, Founder & CEO, Neurologic AI; Dr. Rahul Sawakhande, CEO, Aakaar Medical Technologies; and Dr. Rajah V. Koppala, Vascular & Interventional Radiologist and Founder, AVIS Vascular Center. The experts discussed how AI is driving predictive, data-led healthcare by improving diagnostics, telemedicine, and early disease detection while complementing doctors. They also stressed the need for better regulations, India-specific datasets, stronger data privacy, and greater collaboration between clinicians and engineers to expand quality healthcare across India.

The Times Now India Health Summit 2026 – South Edition commenced in Hyderabad, bringing together leading voices from government, medicine, research, and the healthcare industry to discuss the future of India's healthcare system. The summit featured renowned doctors, policymakers, hospital leaders, researchers, and healthcare innovators, with discussions spanning preventive healthcare, artificial intelligence, women's health, public health policy, and medical innovation.

The Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus has reached 915 confirmed cases and 210 deaths in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda, according to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

The situation remains serious, with ongoing transmission reported in eastern DRC. Ituri Province continues to be the epicentre of the outbreak, accounting for the majority of confirmed cases in the country. The most affected health zones include Bunia, Mongbwalu, and Rwampara.

North Kivu has reported fewer cases than Ituri but has recorded a higher case-fatality rate, particularly in Katwa and Beni. Health officials say this underscores the need for early detection, safe referrals, quality clinical care, and strengthened infection prevention and control measures.

In Uganda, 19 confirmed cases and two deaths have been reported to date. No new cases have been recorded since June 5, 2026.

Community Mistrust Hindering Response Efforts

Africa CDC has identified several challenges hampering response efforts, including gaps in

• contact tracing,
• shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE)
• essential medical supplies,
• limited ambulance capacity,
• community concerns surrounding isolation,
• post-mortem testing,
• household decontamination.

"Communities are central to stopping this outbreak. The response will only succeed if people trust the information they receive, know where to seek care, and feel that response teams are working with them," Africa CDC said in a statement.

Also read: US FDA Panel Recommends First-Ever mRNA Flu Shot For Older Adults: All About The Moderna Vaccine

WHO Warns Outbreak Is Spreading Rapidly

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) had warned that the outbreak is spreading rapidly, even as response measures are being intensified.

"The outbreak remains serious and is evolving very fast. However, I have seen a response that is growing stronger every day," said Marie-Roseline Belizaire, WHO Regional Emergencies Director for Africa, speaking to reporters in Bunia, the epicentre of the outbreak.

The WHO estimates that at least 95 per cent of contacts must be traced to effectively contain the outbreak. As per Belizaire, contact tracing has improved to 75 per cent.

Read More: Natural Origin or Lab Leak? Gabbard Reignites COVID Origins Debate, Claims Fauci Funded Wuhan Lab Research

Ebola Outbreak 3 Times Larger

Africa CDC epidemiologist Dr. Wessam Mankoula said the outbreak is approximately three times larger than any previous Ebola outbreak at a similar stage, four weeks after a public health emergency declaration, AP News reported.

Although the outbreak was officially declared on May 15, health officials believe the virus had been circulating undetected for some time beforehand, contributing to its wider spread.

Another major concern is that the outbreak is being driven by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus, for which there are currently no approved antiviral treatments.

Community mistrust of healthcare workers and public health officials, along with reliance on traditional beliefs and healers, is also complicating containment efforts.