What Is ‘Bleeding Eye’ Virus That Sparked Global Alert (image-twitter/CIDRAP)
Rwanda: A warning has been issued to travelers following the spread of Marburg or “bleeding eye” virus in Rwanda that has already killed at least 15 people so far and infected others. With a 50/50 risk of death, the Marburg is believed to be one of the worst illnesses on the planet.
A travel advisory issued by Travel Health Pro, run by the UK Health Security Agency has warned travelers against the spread of Marburg in Rwanda, Burundi, Central African Republic, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Kenya, Uganda, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guyana, Panama and Peru.
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According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the virus which was formerly known as Marburg hemorrhagic fever, is a severe and often fatal illness in humans. Rousettus aegyptiacus, a fruit bat of the Pteropodidae family, is considered the natural host of the Marburg virus.
The virus can be spread through human-to-human transmission via direct contact, that is through broken skin or mucous membranes. And it can also be transmitted through blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people and with surfaces and materials contaminated with these fluids.
Mostly the healthcare workers are frequently infected while treating the patients who are suspected of the presence of the virus. Funeral services that involve direct contact with the infected body can also contribute to the transmission of the disease.
According to WHO, its symptoms include high fever, severe headache and malaise. Muscle aches and pains are also common features. Diarrhoea, abdominal pain, cramping, nausea and vomiting is likely to begin on the third day.
The symptoms will begin to appear from 2 to 21 days after being infected. From day 5 of the disease, patients may develop hemorrhagic manifestations, including fresh blood in vomit and faeces, and bleeding from the nose, eyes, ears, mouth, gums or vagina.
In fatal cases, death occurs most often between eight to nine days after symptom onset which is usually preceded by severe blood loss and shock.
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So far there are no vaccines or antiviral treatments approved for the “bleeding virus” but early supportive care with rehydration and symptomatic treatment can improve survival.
Apart from Marburg, the travel advisory has also cautioned against Clade 1 and Oropouche fever, two other serious infectious diseases that have also spread across the above countries.
