When the sun is out after a long winter, every one loves it. But not the people of Canary Islands. Tourists there are being warned about the "unusually high risk" of UV rays this week. The Ministry of Health for this holiday destination has urged both, residents and visitors to take extra precautions and preventative measures to limit the impact of sun exposure over their body and skin.

The Ministry observed Aemet, Spain's national weather agency for the forecast which showed higher than normal UV or ultraviolet radiation levels in the region. It is in this backdrop that everyone in the region are requested to be extra careful when they are out in the sun. UV levels are set to reach 7, which is a 'high risk' in La Palma, El Hierro, La Gomera and Gran Canaria. Other regions like Tenerife, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote are expected to reach a level 6, which is also classed as 'high risk'.

UV Index Explained

As per the World Health Organization (WHO), a UV index is a measure of the level of UV radiation, which ranges from zero upward. The higher the UVI, the greater potential for damage to skin and eye and the less time it takes for harm to occur, notes WHO.

The range 1 to 2 represents a low risk, 2 to 5 is moderate, 6 to 7 is at high risk, 8 to 10 is at very high and anything over 11 is extremely risky for anyone to stay out.

UV radiation levels fluctuate throughout the day, with the highest values occurring during the four-hour period around solar noon. The reported UV Index (UVI) typically reflects this daily peak. Depending on geographic location and the use of daylight saving time, solar noon falls between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. In some countries, sun protection advisories are issued when UV levels are expected to reach 3 or higher, as exposure at these levels increases the risk of skin damage, making protective measures essential.

What happens to you when you are out in sun for too long?

While sun bathing is good, being out in the sun when the UVI indicates a high or very high risk, may cause you health concerns. It can lead to sunburn, premature skin aging, incresed risk of skin cancer, eye damage and in severe cases, heat related disease.

Sunburn

It is one of the most common skin injury which happens when there is excess exposure to UV radiation from the sun. This happens when the UV radiation directly damages the DNA skin cells. These damaged cells die and shed, this is why people experience peeling after getting a sunburn.

Dehydration

This is also a common occurrence when your body loses too many fluids or electrolytes. It can also interfere with your normal body functions. You may feel dehydrated, especially when you are out in the sun, but not well hydrated. The most common symptoms are dizziness, fatigue and headache on hot days.

Hyponatremia

This is an electrolyte disorder in which your body experiences low sodium in blood. The symptoms could lead to nausea, confusion and even weakness. There are extreme cases when one may have seizures, slip into coma or die.

Heat Exhaustion

This is one of the most common consequence of being out under the hot sun. Dehydration with prolonged heat exposure can lead to heat exhaustion.

Heatstroke

When you are out under the sun and your body's core temperature cross 104°, heatstroke may occur. This is also known as sunstroke. As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it causes more than 600 deaths each year in the United States.

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continues to intensify, with confirmed infections rising to 710 and the death toll reaching 149, according to the country's Ministry of Health.

The figure represents the total number of confirmed cases as of Friday, according to the latest situation report, which documented 21 new cases in the previous 24 hours.

The ministry also reported a case fatality rate of 21 per cent, while cautioning that the true toll could be higher as several suspected Ebola-related deaths remain under investigation.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Uganda has reported 19 confirmed cases and two confirmed deaths as of June 12.

'Blind Spots' in Ebola Outbreak

The World Health Organization (WHO) last week warned that there are still many "blind spots" in the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, suggesting the spread of the deadly disease may be much wider than official estimates.

"There are still many blind spots in some areas that are high risk," said Olivier le Polain, a WHO epidemiologist in Beni, eastern Congo, according to Reuters.

"Surveillance really needs to be strengthened in those areas."

Another major challenge is a shortage of beds that medics can use to isolate patients, he said. There were only 250 available across the three affected provinces.

The outbreak involves the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which there is no approved treatment or vaccine. The disease went undetected for weeks, and first responders say they are now playing catch-up.

The WHO does not yet have projections for the size of the epidemic, Le Polain said, after the US CDC warned that it could reach a scale similar to the 2014–2016 West Africa outbreak, which caused more than 11,000 deaths.

'The Virus Is Ahead of Us'

"I'm really worried," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in an exclusive interview with STAT News.

He noted that due to political instability and mistrust among communities, contact tracing rates are currently around 50 per cent. "It should reach 95 per cent. The virus is ahead of us."

Lamenting that "the community is not collaborating," he said some people are being hidden from health authorities, while high levels of displacement make it difficult to locate and monitor contacts.

Ebola Spreads to 3 New Health Zones

Also read: Congo Ebola Cases Rise to 676; FIFA World Cup Team Arrives in US After Quarantine

Earlier, the virus spread to three new health zones in North Kivu and Ituri provinces, Health Minister Dr. Samuel-Roger Kamba said in a post on the social media platform X.

Kamba said the virus has now reached:

• Masereka (North Kivu)
• Vuhovi (North Kivu)
• Kambala (Ituri)

"Three new health zones affected: Masereka and Vuhovi in North Kivu, Kambala in Ituri. Our teams are adapting, and surveillance is intensifying. The response follows every signal, in every zone," he said.

What Is Ebola?

Symptoms include fever, headache, weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pain, sore throat, and unexplained bleeding. This eventually leads to severe complications like bleeding, organ failure, and death.

Ebola is a highly lethal viral hemorrhagic fever first identified in 1976. Over the past five decades, it has caused over 30 outbreaks, primarily in Central and West Africa.

Three strains of the virus — Ebola virus, Sudan virus, and Bundibugyo virus — have caused the largest outbreaks in Africa.

The much-awaited and high-voltage event, FIFA World Cup 2026, has begun amid soaring temperatures, with heat-related illnesses emerging as an early concern for fans and players alike.

The 39-day event kicked off in Mexico on June 11, with the opening match held between Mexico and South Africa. However, the afternoon heat proved challenging for many spectators.

At the FIFA Fan Festival in Houston's East Downtown, 22 people were treated for heat-related illnesses on the opening day of the tournament, including four who required hospitalization. Medical teams treated a total of 90 people during the event, according to the Houston Chronicle.

FIFA: Doctors Warn About Heat Risks

The tournament will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico across 16 cities in the three countries. Experts say extreme June and July heat can pose serious health risks for both fans and athletes.

More than one-third of World Cup matches are at high risk for dangerously hot and humid conditions, NPR reported, while dozens more face moderate heat risk.

"Players can overheat, and match officials as well," said Donal Mullan, a climate scientist at Queen's University Belfast and co-author of a study on heat risks at the 2026 World Cup.

Under hot conditions, athletes can experience dangerous increases in body temperature that may lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

Mike Tipton, Professor of Human Applied Physiology at the University of Portsmouth, told The New York Times that high temperatures can also affect performance, with players sprinting less frequently, covering shorter distances, and matches becoming less intense overall.

Recent examples from other sports have highlighted the dangers. During the French Open last month, Czech tennis player Jakub Mensik collapsed on court after a marathon match and later described the heat as "insane."

As per experts, certain groups may face a higher risk during mass gatherings in summer heat, including:

• People aged 65 and older
• Individuals with chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, COPD or kidney disease
• People who are immunocompromised
• Pregnant fans.

Scientists Urge Stronger Heat Protections

Also read: FIFA World Cup 2026: What Keeps Messi and Ronaldo Biologically Younger Than Their Age? Experts Explain

Last month, a group of 21 scientists, including physiologists and climate experts, urged FIFA to strengthen its heat safety measures, arguing that existing guidelines were insufficient.

The previous World Cup in Qatar was moved to winter partly to avoid extreme temperatures.

According to World Weather Attribution, nearly a quarter of the 104 matches scheduled for the 2026 World Cup could be played under conditions that pose a risk of heat stress.

FIFA's Measures To Protect Players And Fans

FIFA says it has implemented several measures to reduce heat-related risks during the tournament, including:

• Shaded areas for spectators

• Misting systems

• Cooling buses

• Expanded water distribution points

• Specialized cooling bags for emergency treatment

The tournament is also the first World Cup to implement mandatory three-minute cooling breaks midway through each half.

Additional measures include climate-controlled benches for substitutes and staff, evening kick-off times for some matches, extra water breaks, and prioritizing covered stadiums where possible.

FIFA said it remains "committed to protecting the health and safety of players, referees, fans, volunteers and staff."

Read More: Congo Ebola Cases Rise to 676; FIFA World Cup Team Arrives in US After Quarantine

Mandatory Cardiac Screening

All participating teams must ensure players undergo:

• Personal and family medical history assessment

• Clinical examination

• Resting 12-lead ECG within the previous 12 months

• Echocardiography within the previous 24 months

FIFA also recommends the use of a standardized cardiac screening form developed by its cardiology consultants.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest Protocol

Any non-contact collapse on the field must be treated as a suspected sudden cardiac arrest until proven otherwise.

Medical teams are permitted to enter the pitch immediately and begin resuscitation without waiting for the referee's approval.

Kerala is grappling with a triple public health challenge as cases of Shigella infection, West Nile fever, and Nipah virus disease are being reported across the state.

While Kerala has faced outbreaks of all three diseases in the past, their simultaneous occurrence has put health authorities on high alert, prompting intensified surveillance, contact tracing, and disease-control measures. The officials have urged people to remain cautious while avoiding unnecessary fear.

Shigella Cases Rise To 16

Seven more students recently tested positive for shigellosis in the northern district of Wayanad, taking the total number of confirmed cases to 16.

According to District Medical Officer K.T. Rekha, symptoms have been identified in more than 500 people, most of them children. Around 45 patients are currently undergoing treatment, while 174 people have been admitted to hospitals since the outbreak began.

Health authorities have intensified surveillance, visited more than 2,200 households, chlorinated over 1,300 wells, and distributed ORS packets across the district.

Common symptoms include:

• Loose stools or diarrhea
• Stomach pain and cramps
• Fever
• Nausea
• Blood in stools

Nipah Patient Critical; 77 Contacts Identified

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

The patient remains in critical condition on ventilator support at a dedicated Nipah isolation facility in Kozhikode Government Medical College Hospital.

Health officials have identified 77 contacts through tracing efforts:

• 15 priority contacts
• 2 highest-risk contacts
• 13 high-risk contacts
• 58 healthcare workers

Early symptoms often resemble common viral illnesses and may include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Body aches
• Fatigue
• Weakness

West Nile Fever Claims Two Lives

Kerala has also reported two deaths linked to West Nile fever in Ernakulam district within a week.

Health officials said the mosquito-borne disease is caused by a flavivirus commonly found in migratory birds and transmitted to humans through infected mosquitoes. The disease does not spread from person to person.

Symptoms can include

• fever,
• neck stiffness,
• confusion,
• behavioral changes,
• in severe cases, encephalitis or meningitis.

The elderly, pregnant women, children, immunocompromised individuals, and people with underlying health conditions are considered at higher risk.

Why Kerala Remains Vulnerable

Researchers have suggested that environmental changes, habitat disruption, and increasing interaction between humans and wildlife may be contributing to the repeated emergence of zoonotic diseases in Kerala.

A recent study titled "Two Geographies, One Virus: What Recurrent Nipah Spillover in India Reveals" found that deforestation, habitat loss, and increased human activity in biodiversity-rich regions could create more opportunities for viruses to spill over from animals to humans.

How to Stay Safe

Health experts recommend:

• Washing hands thoroughly with soap and water
• Drinking safe, treated water
• Consuming freshly prepared food
• Keeping food covered
• Using mosquito repellents and protective clothing
• Seeking medical attention promptly if symptoms develop

The monsoon season creates favorable conditions for waterborne, foodborne, and mosquito-borne diseases, making vigilance essential for both health authorities and the public.