‘Bleeding eye’ virus kills 15 people in Rwanda: Warning issued to travellers

A warning has been issued to travellers against the spread of Marburg or ‘bleeding eye’ virus along with mpox and Oropouche fever in 17 countries.
Marburg has been termed the ‘bleeding eye’ virus because one of its symptoms has already claimed over 15 lives in Rwanda. It is also thought to have infected hundreds more.
WHAT IS MARBURG VIRUS AKA ‘BLEEDING EYES’?
Marburg virus is a severe illness that causes viral hemorrhagic fever, sometimes damaging blood vessels and leading to bleeding.
A member of the Ebola family, it originates from fruit bats, its natural hosts, and spreads to humans through direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person, such as blood, saliva, or urine.
Infected individuals may experience high fever, severe headaches, muscle pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. In severe cases, it can cause internal bleeding, organ failure, and shock, often resulting in death.
Mortality rates vary from 24% to 88%, depending on the strain and the quality of medical care available.
In October, Rwanda’s health officials acted swiftly to contain the virus, isolating patients and tracing contacts. With its similarities to Ebola in both symptoms and transmission, strict containment measures are critical to prevent the outbreak from escalating.
SYMPTOMS OF ‘BLEEDING EYE’ VIRUS
The symptoms of ‘bleeding eye’ virus is similar to Ebola, such as fever, chills, severe headache, cough, muscle or joint pain, sore throat and rash.

Marburg virus is a severe illness that causes viral hemorrhagic fever, sometimes damaging blood vessels and leading to bleeding. (Photo: Getty Images)

In severe cases, patients could also feel abdominal or chest pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, dizziness, unintended weight loss, bloody poop or vomiting, bleeding from the nose, eyes, mouth or vagina and confusion, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
The appearance of patients in this phase has been described as showing “ghost-like” drawn features, deep-set eyes, expressionless faces and extreme lethargy, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
TREATMENT OF MARBURG VIRUS
There’s no specific antiviral treatment or vaccine for Marburg virus. Supportive care like rehydration and symptom management can help in controlling the disease.
as rehydration and symptom management, essential for increasing survival rates.
Potential treatments including blood products, immune therapies and drug therapies are currently being evaluated.
Experimental vaccines are in the initial phase of clinical studies.
Efforts are underway globally to develop effective treatments, but in the meantime, public health measures such as isolation, protective gear, and hygiene practices are the best defense against the spread of the virus, as per WHO.