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.

While the devastating COVID-19 pandemic has significantly increased awareness about zoonotic diseases, the world remains inadequately prepared for another outbreak, which is "very likely," according to Dr Mario Raviglione, consultant to a HPV project at the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), World Health Organization, on the occasion of World Zoonoses Day.

Observed every year on July 6, World Zoonoses Day aims to raise awareness about zoonotic diseases—infections that spread between animals and humans. This year's theme, "One World, One Health: Prevent Zoonoses," underscores the close link between human, animal and environmental health, according to the International Society for Infectious Diseases (ISID).

In an exclusive interview with HealthandMe, Dr Mario said the world has learned important lessons from COVID-19, but preparedness for the next zoonotic outbreak remains inadequate.

"The biggest lessons learned in my view are the understanding... that indeed we are in an era where pandemics could happen on a daily basis essentially," he said, noting that around three-quarters of emerging and re-emerging infections now originate in the animal world.

However, despite greater awareness among politicians, policymakers and health ministries, he said there is still no full understanding of the level of preparedness needed to confront future threats.

Risks Of Pandemics Are Increasing

According to Dr Mario, the factors driving zoonotic spillovers are becoming more intense rather than diminishing. He pointed to:

• Expanding human populations moving into previously wild areas

• Increasing proximity between humans and animals

• Rapidly growing livestock production

• Unrestricted animal trade

• Deforestation

• Biodiversity loss

• Greater contact with disease-carrying vectors such as mosquitoes.

"All of this put together tells us that the risk is high, that the risk is increasing, that the pandemic potential is definitely on an increase and, as a result, preparedness becomes really at this point an imperative," he said.

Plans Exist, But Funding Is Lacking

While acknowledging that many countries, particularly in Europe, now have pandemic preparedness plans, Dr Mario said these are often not backed by adequate financial commitments.

He said many countries continue to face shortages of trained human resources, laboratory capacity and disease surveillance systems. There are also insufficient links between human medicine, veterinary public health and environmental monitoring.

According to him, these shortcomings remain significant obstacles to effective preparedness and response during future epidemics, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

Surveillance And Laboratory Capacity Need Strengthening

Dr Mario, also a consultant for a tuberculosis project with the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), stressed that countries need stronger surveillance systems not only for human diseases but also for animals and the environment.

He also highlighted the need for improved laboratory capacity to identify emerging pathogens, stronger genomic surveillance, adequate facilities and trained personnel, and the ability to rapidly produce vaccines when needed.

"The environmental health is the one that is weaker... in terms of capacity to monitor," he said, describing it as the weakest component of the One Health triad.

One Health Approach Is Essential

Dr Mario said zoonotic diseases emerge from interactions between humans, animals and the environment, making the One Health approach fundamental to future pandemic preparedness.

He described One Health as "an approach that unites human health, animal health and environmental health," recognizing that all three are interconnected.

He said practical implementation should include:

• Human disease surveillance

• Veterinary surveillance

• Biodiversity and wildlife monitoring

• Food safety systems

• Stronger diagnostic capacity

• Laboratory networks

• Antimicrobial resistance plans

• Research capability

• Adequate vaccine manufacturing capacity

Prevention Requires Sustained Investment

Despite the increased awareness following COVID-19, Dr Mario said preparedness ultimately depends on governments translating commitments into action through sustained investment.

He said countries need solid preparedness plans, practical implementation and adequate financing to build resilient systems capable of responding to future threats.

"If you think prevention is expensive, try the disease then," he said, underscoring the importance of investing in prevention.

Women who are conflicted while choosing between an injectable contraceptive, a copper intrauterine device (IUD) or a hormonal implant may not need to worry about its impact on human papillomavirus (HPV).

What Is Human Papillomavirus (HPV)?

HPV is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections worldwide. While many HPV infections go away on their own without causing problems, some high-risk types can persist and increase the risk of cervical cancer in the long run.

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Before this study, scientists debated whether hormonal contraceptives could affect a woman's immune response, making it easier to contract HPV or harder for the body to clear the infection.

Birth Control Choice May Not Influence HPV Risk

According to a new study published in The Lancet Regional Health – Africa, your choice of contraception may not have an impact on the risk of contracting HPV.

Researchers found that women using a commonly used injectable contraceptive known as depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA-IM), copper IUDs, and levonorgestrel implants had similar chances of contracting HPV and clearing existing infections.

About The Lancet Study

Also read: You Can Still Get HPV If You're Not Sexually Active

The researchers examined data from women who participated in the large ECHO (Evidence for Contraceptive Options and HIV Outcomes) clinical trial. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three contraceptive methods:

• Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA-IM) injectable contraceptive

• Copper IUD

• Levonorgestrel implant

They then compared how often women acquired HPV during the study and how often those who already had HPV were able to clear the infection naturally. The analysis found no meaningful differences between the three contraceptive methods.

Women using the injectable contraceptive were no more likely to acquire HPV than those using a copper IUD or a hormonal implant. Similarly, women across all three groups cleared HPV infections at comparable rates.

Significance Of The Study

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Earlier studies finding the link between hormonal contraceptives and HPV have reported mixed results. Some suggested that hormonal birth control might increase the risk of HPV infection or make infections last longer, while others found no clear outcomes.

This new research provides stronger evidence because it is based on a randomized clinical trial. The findings suggest that the type of contraceptive a woman chooses is unlikely to have an impact on her risk of getting HPV or her body's ability to clear the infection.

Women Can Take Control Of Their Contraceptive Choice

The study allows women to choose between these commonly used contraceptive methods based on factors such as effectiveness, convenience, side effects, and personal preference, rather than concerns about HPV risk.

However, experts stress that no contraceptive method protects against sexually transmitted infections, including HPV. Using condoms can help reduce the risk of HPV and other STIs.

The human papillomavirus causes more than 200 known infections. While some types lead to benign skin warts, others are responsible for severe health threats, such as cervical, throat, anal, and penile cancers. The HPV vaccine provides strong protection against the most lethal strains, avoiding long-term health complications.

The HPV vaccine helps the immune system recognize and fight off high-risk strains of the virus before they cause harm. It protects against:

• Genital warts

• Cervical cancer

• Vaginal, vulvar, anal, and penile cancers

• Mouth, throat, head, and neck cancers linked to HPV

Experts also stress that HPV vaccination and regular cervical cancer screening remain the most effective ways to prevent cervical cancer and detect abnormal changes early.

People in the UK can, from today, access the Wegovy weight loss pill through pharmacies with a doctor's prescription. It is the first oral glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medicine approved in the UK for weight loss.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approved the tablet on June 11, marking the first oral GLP-1 treatment available in the country for obesity management.

"Having met the MHRA's rigorous standards of safety, quality and effectiveness, the semaglutide tablet has been approved in the UK for weight loss and weight management," Julian Beach, Executive Director of Healthcare Quality and Access at the MHRA, said in a statement.

"As with all GLP-1 receptor agonists, this is a prescription-only medication," Beach added.

Novo Nordisk called it an "important milestone for obesity care in the UK".

"For the first time, people living with obesity have access to a GLP-1 treatment in a daily pill, allowing them the choice and flexibility of oral treatment to support their long-term weight management," said Sebnem Avsar Tuna, General Manager at Novo Nordisk UK.

Wegovy Weight Loss Pill: Who Is Eligible?

Also read: US Medicare Set To Cover GLP-1 Drugs For Weight Loss: All You Should Know About Eligibility, Costs

The semaglutide (Wegovy) tablet can be prescribed alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for adults who:

• Have obesity (BMI of 30 or above), or
• Are overweight (BMI between 27 and 30) and have at least one weight-related comorbidity.

Wegovy Weight Loss Pill Dosage

Patients must begin with the lowest dose of 1.5 mg once daily, which can be gradually increased to:

• 4 mg
• 9 mg
• 25 mg

People currently taking 2.4 mg weekly semaglutide injections privately can switch directly to 25 mg semaglutide tablets once daily.

Wegovy: How To Take The Tablet

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According to the MHRA, the tablet should be:

• Taken whole on an empty stomach after fasting for at least eight hours.
• Swallowed with a small sip of water.
• Followed by no food or drink for at least 30 minutes, as eating or drinking sooner reduces the drug's absorption.

Patients are advised to carefully follow the instructions in the Patient Information Leaflet.

How Does Wegovy Work?

Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that mimics the action of the naturally occurring GLP-1 hormone released after eating.

It acts on areas of the brain that regulate appetite by:

• Helping people feel fuller for longer.
• Reducing hunger.
• Decreasing food cravings.

Wegovy: Is It Available On The NHS?

Not yet. Although the medicine has received MHRA approval, it is not currently available through the NHS.

The MHRA said NHS availability will depend on the usual evaluation process by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

NICE said Novo Nordisk has not yet formally approached it, but that it is in active discussions with the company, BBC reported.

Wegovy Weight Loss Pill: What Are The Side Effects?

The most commonly reported side effects are gastrointestinal and include:

• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Vomiting

The MHRA said it will continue to monitor the medicine's safety and effectiveness. Anyone experiencing side effects should speak to their doctor, pharmacist, or nurse and report them through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme.

Pharmacies Expect High Demand

Community pharmacies say they are preparing for a surge in demand following the launch. The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) urged patients to obtain the medicine only from regulated pharmacies following a proper clinical consultation.