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.

A newly identified brain protein may help slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease, according to new research that sheds light on how the disease spreads through the brain.

Scientists have found that a protein called SORLA acts as a natural defense against the toxic tau protein, limiting the brain damage that causes memory loss and cognitive decline.

The findings, published in Nature Neuroscience, suggest that boosting SORLA activity could become a therapeutic strategy.

SORLA Can Help Regulate Tau

The study found that SORLA regulates how tau proteins move between neurons. While amyloid plaques have long dominated Alzheimer's research, mounting evidence suggests that the spread of tau in the brain is more closely linked to the symptoms of Alzheimer's.

When SORLA levels were low, toxic tau spread more easily from one brain cell to another. In contrast, increasing SORLA significantly reduced tau accumulation, protected brain tissue from shrinking, and preserved memory in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease.

"Our findings identify SORLA as a potent endogenous suppressor of tau propagation," the researchers wrote, adding that enhancing SORLA function "could represent a promising therapeutic strategy for limiting the progression of Alzheimer's disease."

Also read: Alzheimer's Drug Leqembi Helps Over 75% Of Patients Remain Stable Or Improve: Real-World Study

How Can This Discovery Help?

Current Alzheimer's drugs like Leqembi primarily target amyloid-beta plaques. Although these treatments can slow disease progression in some patients, they do not directly stop the spread of tau, which drives the loss of brain cells which worsens dementia.

The discovery of SORLA offers a different approach by targeting one of the disease's most dangerous aspects: tau propagation.

Can This Lead To Effective Alzheimer's Treatments?

The SORLA findings were demonstrated primarily in laboratory models, meaning much more research is needed before therapies can be tested in people.

However, researchers say identifying the brain's own protective mechanisms provides an important roadmap for developing treatments that not only remove harmful proteins but also prevent them from spreading.

If future studies confirm these findings in humans, therapies that boost SORLA could potentially be combined with existing anti-amyloid medicines to slow Alzheimer's progression more effectively.

The SORLA discovery comes amid growing momentum in tau-based Alzheimer's research.

Just this month, researchers reported encouraging results from diranersen, an experimental therapy designed to reduce production of the tau protein itself.

In a mid-stage clinical trial involving around 400 people with early Alzheimer's disease, the drug lowered tau levels and showed signs of slowing cognitive decline in some participants, although larger studies are needed to confirm its effectiveness.

Also read: Excessive TV Watching In Midlife May Shrink Brain Areas Essential For Memory, Study Finds

What Is SORLA?

SORLA (Sorting Protein-Related Receptor with LDLR Class A Repeats) is a receptor protein naturally present in brain cells.

Scientists have known for years that low SORLA levels are associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease because the protein helps process amyloid precursor protein.

Why Is Tau Considered Dangerous?

Tau is a normal protein that helps stabilize the internal structure of nerve cells. In Alzheimer's disease, however, tau becomes abnormally folded and forms neurofibrillary tangles.

These tangles spread through interconnected brain regions, disrupting communication between neurons, and eventually causing them to die.

Researchers believe the progression of tau pathology closely mirrors the progression of memory loss and cognitive impairment seen in Alzheimer's patients.

Women with polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS)—formerly known as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)—face a significantly higher risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular diseases, according to a large study published in The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology & Women's Health.

PMOS affects an estimated 10–13% of women of reproductive age. Researchers analyzed data from more than 2 million women and found that those with PMOS had a substantially higher risk of serious cardiovascular events, even after accounting for established risk factors such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking, and high cholesterol.

The findings, by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Rochester, suggest that PMOS should be recognized not only as a reproductive health condition but also as a major cardiometabolic disorder, underscoring the need for routine cardiovascular monitoring in affected women.

What Did The Study Find?

Also read: PCOS Is Now PMOS: What The Name Change Means For Millions Of Women

Women with PMOS were significantly more likely to develop atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), including heart attacks and strokes.

After adjusting for traditional cardiovascular risk factors, researchers found that women with PMOS were:

• 2.5 times more likely to experience a heart attack or stroke.
• 3.4 times more likely to have a transient ischemic attack (TIA), or "mini-stroke."
• Nearly four times more likely to develop peripheral artery disease (PAD), in which narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to the limbs.

"Our work shows that it is imperative for clinicians to closely track and evaluate cardiovascular health in patients with PMOS," said Dr. Anuja Dokras, senior author of the study and Founders Professor of Women's Health at the University of Pennsylvania.

She advised women with PMOS to lower their cardiovascular risk by:

• Avoiding smoking
• Staying physically active
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Regularly monitoring blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar

What Is PMOS?

PMOS is the new name for PCOS, adopted following an international consensus announced in May 2026 by the World Health Organization, the Endocrine Society, and other leading organizations.

The new name reflects the understanding that the condition affects multiple body systems—not just the ovaries. PMOS is a complex hormonal and metabolic disorder linked to an increased risk of:

• Infertility
• Type 2 diabetes
• Endometrial cancer
• Cardiovascular disease

The condition can affect:

• Endocrine health
• Metabolic health
• Reproductive health
• Dermatological health
• Psychological health

Why Was PCOS Renamed?

Experts said the term PCOS was misleading because many patients believed it referred to ovarian cysts, whereas the condition is characterized by increased ovarian follicles rather than true cysts.

"My patients often assumed they had cysts on their ovaries, but instead, people with PMOS have increased follicles that can resemble cysts," said Dr. Dokras. "The effects of PMOS extend far beyond gynecologic health. The new name better reflects the multiple hormonal and metabolic systems involved and encourages more comprehensive care."

The new name aims to explain the condition more accurately and comprehensively.

• Polyendocrine means it affects multiple hormones in the body.
• Metabolic refers to issues linked to weight, insulin, blood sugar, and heart health.
• Ovarian highlights its impact on ovulation and reproductive health.
• Syndrome refers to a group of symptoms occurring together.

Former England forward and manager Kevin Keegan has died after battling stage 4 stomach cancer. He was 75.

Keegan died surrounded by his wife, Jean, and their daughters.

"It is with immense sadness that we announce that Kevin Keegan has passed away at the age of 75," a statement from Keegan's family read.

"The former England player and manager had been battling cancer and was surrounded by his wife and daughters in his final moments.

"Kevin, a double Ballon d'Or winner, was a much-loved husband, father and grandfather. The family would like to thank Kevin's incredible medical team for all their support. This is a hugely difficult time and they are requesting space and privacy."

Diagnosed With Stage 4 Cancer Earlier This Year

Earlier this year, his family announced that the former England captain had been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and was preparing to begin treatment. In June, Keegan revealed that the disease had spread to other parts of his body.

Known affectionately as "King Kev," Keegan spoke openly about his diagnosis during a public appearance in Newcastle, reflecting on his health with his trademark honesty and humor. Fans listened in silence as he shared his journey through the illness.

His death has prompted tributes from football fans around the world.

Also read: Cancer Kills Over 26,000 Daily; Cases to Hit 35 Million by 2050, Says WHO Report

A Legendary Playing And Managerial Career

Born in Armthorpe, Doncaster, on February 14, 1951, Keegan began his senior career with Scunthorpe United before joining Liverpool in 1972. He later played for Hamburger SV, Southampton and Newcastle United, ending his playing career with Blacktown City in Australia.

During a club career spanning 592 appearances, Keegan scored 204 goals. He also earned 63 caps for England, scoring 21 goals.

As a manager, Keegan had two spells at Newcastle United and also managed Fulham, England and Manchester City. He guided England to UEFA Euro 2000 through a play-off victory over Scotland before resigning later that year after a disappointing start to the tournament.

What Is Stomach Cancer?

Read More: Don't Ignore These Cancer Symptoms: Oncologist Shares The Early Warning Signs

Stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer, develops in the lining of the stomach. It is more common in older adults than in younger people. According to the American Cancer Society, about six in 10 people diagnosed with stomach cancer each year are aged 65 or older. The lifetime risk is also higher in men (about 1 in 101) than in women (about 1 in 155).

Scientists from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), part of the World Health Organization (WHO), estimate that infection with the common stomach bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) causes 76% of stomach cancer cases globally. The infection often produces no obvious symptoms beyond common digestive complaints, allowing it to go undetected for years.

Early Signs You Should Not Ignore

Doctors advise seeking medical attention if symptoms such as persistent indigestion, nausea, unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite, or upper abdominal discomfort last for more than three weeks.

Around 18 people in the UK and 83 people in the US are diagnosed with stomach cancer every day. Because the disease is often detected at an advanced stage, treatment can be challenging. In the UK, only about 17% of patients survive beyond 10 years after diagnosis.

Why Early Detection Matters

H. pylori infection can be detected through simple tests and treated with antibiotics. Early diagnosis and treatment can significantly reduce the risk of stomach cancer. Health experts stress that recognizing persistent digestive symptoms and seeking timely medical care can save lives.