Marburg virus: Brits warned of deadly 'eye bleeding' disease spreading in 17 countries

The deadly Marburg microorganism tin marque a patient's eyes bleed - and has a terrifying mortality complaint of 88 per cent. Health officials successful the UK accidental they are 'prepared' to respond to immoderate confirmed cases

Brits heading overseas person been issued a caller wellness informing implicit a perchance deadly illness that tin marque your eyes bleed.

Experts accidental they are monitoring the dispersed of the Marburg virus pursuing aggregate reported deaths during an outbreak successful Rwanda this autumn. It comes arsenic different 2 superior infectious diseases - the mpox Clade I variant and tropical Oropouche fever - proceed to dispersed crossed a fig of countries. A specializer astatine wellness proposal work Travel Health Pro said: "A Marburg microorganism illness outbreak has been reported successful Rwanda. Multi-country outbreaks of mpox clade I and Oropouche are besides ongoing."

Marburg microorganism illness (MVD) has been reported to person a mortality complaint arsenic precocious arsenic 88 per cent successful erstwhile outbreaks. Transmission to humans occurs done "prolonged exposure" to mines oregon caves inhabited by colonies of Rousettus effect bats.

The microorganism spreads via person-to-person interaction done bodily fluids, arsenic good arsenic enactment with infected materials and surfaces. Symptoms of the illness tin look abruptly, with precocious fever, terrible headache, and musculus aches and pains being common. Severe watery diarrhoea, abdominal symptom and cramping, nausea and vomiting typically statesman connected the 3rd day.

Patients person reported non-itchy rashes betwixt 2 and 7 days aft symptoms start. From the 5th day, patients whitethorn make haemorrhagic manifestations, including caller humor successful vomit and faeces, and bleeding from the nose, gums, eyes and vagina.

No cases of the Marburg microorganism person been reported successful the UK, and wellness officials accidental the NHS is "equipped and prepared" to respond to immoderate imaginable cases. A caller connection connected the UK Health Security Agency website read: "The outbreak successful Rwanda was confirmed successful precocious September 2024 and determination person been immoderate deaths. This is the archetypal documented outbreak of Marburg microorganism successful Rwanda and authorities determination are investigating its source. Close contacts of cases successful Rwanda are being identified and followed up for 21 days.

"UKHSA, the NHS and spouse agencies (including devolved administrations) person well-tested capabilities to detect, incorporate and dainty caller infectious diseases, and healthcare professionals are equipped and prepared to respond to immoderate confirmed cases successful the UK."