The Marburg, also known as the bleeding eye virus, has become extremely fatal in several African countries. The nickname bleeding eye of the virus comes from its most severe symptoms in which the patient's eyes, nose, or mouth bleed. So far, the virus outbreak has killed 15 people in Rwanda, and there is growing concern among authorities.
The virus belongs to an infectious pathogen from the filovirus family which is closely related to the concerning Ebola virus. It causes MVD, short for Marburg virus disease, in which an infected person suffers from a hemorrhagic fever.
The fatality rate of the disease is usually high, ranging from 24% to 88%. However, the fatality rate depends on the virus outbreak.
Travel Health Pro, a platform run by the UK Health Security, has issued an advisory to travelers to reduce the spread of bleeding eye virus in several countries, including Rwanda, Central Africa Republic, Burundi, Congo, Gabon, Uganda, Brazil, Kenya, Bolivia, Cuba, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Panama, and Guyana.
People traveling to these countries are also asked to stay cautious against Clade 1 and Oropouche fever.
So far, no approved vaccine or antiviral treatment to fight the virus has been developed. Scientists are currently experimenting with some treatments like monoclonal antibody vaccines to kill the virus.
However, an infected person's health and survival rates can improve by maintaining their oxygen levels and treating specific symptoms.
What are the symptoms of bleeding eye virus?
Before the symptoms, one must understand how the virus is transmitted. The natural hosts of the bleeding eye virus are fruit bats. Once a person is infected with the virus, it can spread from coming in direct contact with their bodily fluids.
The symptoms of MVD appear in an infected person's body after 2 to 21 days. High fever, muscle pain, severe headache, and malaise are the most common early signs of the disease. The person can also experience gastrointestinal issues, including abdominal pain, diarrhea, cramping, vomiting, and nausea.
As the symptoms get more severe, a person may find blood in their vomit and feces. Their eyes, mouth, gums, ears, or vagina may also bleed. Males usually experience inflammation of their testicles in the later stages.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), some patients also feel lethargic and have deep-set eyes. After a few days, severe blood loss and shock can also result in death.
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In order to stay healthy, one must prevent getting infected with bleeding eye virus. To do so, they can avoid exposure to bats or infected people. After coming in contact with the virus, an individual must quarantine themselves. While taking care of an infected individual, one must use personal protective equipment (PPE).
Moreover, everyone is advised to take all necessary safety measures and stay updated about the precautions that several organizations carry out.
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