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 ongoing Ebola outbreak "is spreading rapidly" and "outpacing us", said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organization, today.

At the Virtual Ministerial Briefing on the Bundibugyo Ebola Outbreak today, he stated that "more than 900 suspected cases have been identified so far, including 101 confirmed cases".

Echoing concern, he noted that the epidemic is outpacing us.

"We are urgently scaling up operations, but at the moment the epidemic is outpacing us," Tedros said, adding that countries bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo, the epicenter of the outbreak, should take immediate action.

Officials informed that Uganda reported two more Ebola cases, taking its total number of confirmed cases to seven. The deadly virus has reportedly killed at least 220 people so far.

Tedros added that the "delay in detecting the outbreak means that we are now playing catch-up with a very fast-moving epidemic".

Ebola disease is a severe viral hemorrhagic fever with a high mortality rate.

India Boosts Screening

Also read: Why Ebola Does Not Spread Like COVID-19: Experts Explain

The mounting cases of Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda has kept India on alert mode.

The Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Jagat Prakash Nadda, today held another review meeting to check the country's preparedness and surveillance measures for Ebola disease.

“India has not reported any case of Bundibugyo Ebola disease to date," the Union Health Minister said.

The country has also issued a travel advisory for citizens to avoid non-essential travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan.

The Union Health Ministry earlier issued Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on public health preparedness and response to Ebola disease, encompassing protocols for screening, quarantine, clinical management, laboratory testing, and infection prevention practices.

In addition, guidelines have been issued for hospital infection control, isolation facility preparedness, and for safe and dignified handling of human remains of Ebola patients.

Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) units and Airport Health Organizations have been instructed to maintain heightened vigilance for unexplained febrile illness among international travelers and ensure prompt reporting and management of any suspected case.

Screening Intensified At Airports in India

Meanwhile, states like Maharashtra, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Gujarat have intensified screening of passengers arriving from Ebola-affected countries like Uganda, Congo, and South Sudan.

The Union government has asked states to identify designated isolation facilities, arrange dedicated ambulances, and ensure availability of trained healthcare personnel, personal protective equipment (PPE), laboratory support, and critical care capacity.

An advisory is displayed at the Delhi airport by the Airport Health Organization (APHO) , advising passengers to watch out for symptoms such as:

• fever,
• weakness,
• headache,
• muscle pain,
• vomiting,
• diarrhea,
• sore throat,
• unexplained bleeding.

According to the APHO, any traveler developing symptoms within 21 days of arrival should seek immediate medical care and inform authorities about their travel history.

Read More: Ebola Outbreak: University of Glasgow Researcher Explains Why Bundibugyo Virus Is Concerning

Ebola: An Antiviral On The Anvil

Even though the new Bundibugyo strain has no vaccine or antiviral, the WHO has recommended prioritizing two monoclonal antibodies for clinical trials.

"We are also recommending the evaluation of the antiviral obeldesivir in a clinical trial as post-exposure prophylaxis for people who are high-risk contacts," the WHO chief said.

This clinical trial is now being developed jointly with Africa CDC and the Collaborative Open Research Consortium on filoviruses, he noted.

As Delhi and most of North India continue to face rising temperatures, doctors have raised concerns over worsening air pollution, warning that the combination is placing severe stress on the human body, even among otherwise healthy individuals.

HealthandMe spoke to experts to understand how the overlap of heatwaves and polluted air can affect health.

According to experts, extreme heat and pollution together are no longer just an environmental issue, but are emerging as a serious urban health emergency.

Also Read: AYUSH Ministry Shares Yoga, Ayurveda Tips To Beat Heatwave Stress

Dr. Amit Kumar Mandal, Senior Director - Pulmonology at Paras Health, explained that extreme heat combined with pollution forces multiple organs to work harder simultaneously.

“People often think heatwaves only affect the skin or cause dehydration, but when extreme heat combines with high pollution levels, the body starts functioning as if it is constantly under attack,” he said.

The expert explained that "the lungs are forced to work harder to filter hot, polluted air, while the heart simultaneously struggles to regulate body temperature. This invisible overload can quietly trigger inflammation, breathing distress, sudden BP fluctuations, and cardiac strain, even in people who otherwise consider themselves healthy".

Symptoms Often Missed

Also read: What Is The Best Low-Cost Solution For Panic Attacks?

Dr. Amit further noted that the subtle symptoms in the beginning often go unnoticed, making the combination even more dangerous.

The symptoms increasingly being seen during such weather conditions include

• persistent tiredness,
• irritability,
• disturbed sleep,
• headaches,
• chest heaviness,
• unusual breathlessness.

“Heat and pollution together are no longer just an environmental issue; they are emerging as a serious urban health emergency. Preventive care during summers now has to go beyond avoiding the sun; people need to actively protect their respiratory and cardiovascular health as well,” Dr. Amit told HealthandMe .

How Prolonged Exposure Can Affect Health

Dr. Rahul Punj, Senior Consultant - Internal Medicine at Yatharth Super Speciality Hospital, told HealthandMe that prolonged exposure to high temperatures and poor air quality can affect multiple systems in the body.

“Rising heat and increasing pollution levels are becoming major health concerns, especially in urban areas. Prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures and poor air quality can lead to dehydration, heat exhaustion, breathing difficulties, allergies, skin issues, and can even worsen heart and lung diseases. Children, elderly people, pregnant women, outdoor workers, and patients with asthma, COPD, or other chronic illnesses need to be extra cautious during this period,” he said.

How To Prevent Health Risks

Read More: Ebola Cases Cross 900, Death Toll Tops 200; 10 Countries On High Alert

Dr. Rahul advised people to take preventive measures seriously during heatwave conditions. Preventive measures that can help reduce health risks include:

• staying hydrated,
• avoiding direct sunlight during peak afternoon hours,
• wearing light cotton clothes,
• using masks in polluted areas,
• maintaining proper indoor ventilation.

Weather Today

Residents in Delhi continue to struggle against soaring temperatures and blazing sunshine. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for the next three days, warning of continued heatwave conditions along with strong surface winds during the afternoons and evenings.

The maximum temperatures are expected to increase by a further 1°C-2°C within the next 24 hours and are forecast to stay high until May 27.

The national capital recorded a maximum temperature of 43.6 degrees Celsius on Sunday, around 3.4 degrees above the seasonal average. The minimum temperature settled at 28.4 degrees Celsius in the morning, nearly two degrees above normal.

Last week, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoked Stage 1 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR after the city’s air quality slipped into the ‘poor’ category.

Cases of the highly infectious and deadly Ebola virus have crossed over 900 in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, the World Health Organization said.

The outbreak has been identified as caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain, which differs from other known ebolaviruses, such as Zaire ebolavirus and Sudan ebolavirus. It also has no treatment or vaccine.

The death toll due to the disease has also reportedly surged over 200.

Also Read: Is Heatwave Giving You Anxiety? Psychologists Say Cleaning Up Could Give You Peace

"As surveillance efforts have been scaled up in the #DRC #Ebola response, more than 900 suspected cases have been identified so far, including 101 confirmed cases,” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), shared in a post on social media platform X.

"In Ituri province, the epicenter of the outbreak, nearly 5 million people live amid ongoing conflict. Today, 1 in 4 people are in need of humanitarian assistance, and 1 in 5 are internally displaced," he added.

Ebola Outbreak: 10 countries at risk

The ongoing Ebola outbreak is the 17th outbreak of Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is also the third recorded due to the rare Bundibugyo strain.

The outbreak, which has also spread to Uganda, has been declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) by the WHO.

According to the African Union's health agency, more countries on the continent are at risk of being affected by the Ebola virus.

"We have 10 countries at risk," said Jean Kaseya, head of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), listing the following:

• Angola
• Burundi
• Central African Republic
• Republic of Congo
• Ethiopia
• Kenya
• Rwanda
• South Sudan
• Tanzania
• Zambia.

Another reason for the spread is the ongoing violence against healthcare workers.

The WHO chief has also voiced out concerns of violence in affected countries that is "forcing people to flee, including health and humanitarian workers".

Last week, the Rwampara health centre was stormed by a group of angry residents demanding the bodies of relatives who had died from Ebola, according to local sources. A day later, a tent provided by Doctors Without Borders, also known by its acronym MSF, at a hospital in Mongbwalu in Ituri province was set on fire.

The adverse conditions has also displaced people, further increasing the transmission of the virus in crowded relief camps.

Tedros noted that "this is severely impeding efforts to scale up Ebola contact tracing and identify infections early enough to provide supportive care. Ongoing insecurity and fear are also fueling mistrust within communities".

Also read: Bundibugyo Ebola: Scientists Investigate Spillover Event

What Is Ebola?

Some symptoms can indicate a possible infection. This includes fever, weakness, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea, sore throat, and unexplained bleeding. This eventually leads to severe complications like bleeding, organ failure, and death. The hosts of the virus are animals like bats, primates, and antelopes.

WHO Says Vaccine Could Take Months

Meanwhile, the WHO says it could take up to nine months before a vaccine against this particular species of Ebola is ready.

Two possible "candidate vaccines" against the Bundibugyo species are being developed, but neither has gone through clinical trials yet, WHO advisor Dr. Vasee Moorthy said, according to the BBC.