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An urgent warning has been issued to travelers after the continuing spread of Marburg, Mpox, and Oropouche viruses, affecting more than 17 countries across the world. Known as the bleeding eye virus, Marburg has now killed 15 people in Rwanda, where hundreds of more people are believed to be infected. With a 50-50 risk of death, it is believed that one of the worst illnesses on the planet could spread to neighbouring African nations already coping with outbreaks.
According to experts, Marburg, also known as "bleeding eyes," is a viral hemorrhagic fever, or a virus that damages blood vessels and causes bleeding. It is part of the same family of viruses as the deadly Ebola.
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Countries like Burundi, the Central African Republic, Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda have all reported cases of Mpox clade 1. Along with Africa, even the UK has had five confirmed instances of the more serious Mpox cases, which were previously limited to just five nations in central Africa.
The most recent case had just returned from Uganda and was announced in Leeds on Sunday (December 01). The first had returned from Africa on October 21 and the other four lived in the same London household.
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"Mpox is very infectious in households with close contact and so it is not unexpected to see further cases within the same household," said UK Health Security Agency chief medical adviser Professor Susan Hopkins.
Even though the risk to the UK remains low, Travel Health Pro has issued a warning to people coming to and from the country to take extra care. With no pre-travel vaccine available for Mpox in the UK, it advised people to ask a health professional if they can travel before going abroad. It said: "In particular, pregnant and immunosuppressed people are known to be at higher risk of severe infection. Check your travel health insurance before you go."
People are being advised to avoid contact with people who are unwell or have a rash, to regularly wash hands and use sanitizers, and to keep your hands away from your face, the Metro reports.
The disease spreads through non-sexual as well as close sexual contact.
Oropouche virus spreading across South American and Caribbean countries
Bites from midges are also spreading the virus Oropouche in several South American countries and a Caribbean state popular with tourists. More than 10,000 people in Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Panama, Peru, Ecuador, Guyana, Bolivia, and the Dominican Republic have been infected this year. There are no specific medicines or vaccines for the virus and some people have died from it.
Causing flu-like symptoms, Oropouche virus disease is an illness with mild symptoms. But they can sometimes come back days or weeks later or cause complications in pregnancy.
Signs and symptoms of Marburg virus
Symptoms of Marburg happen in two phases, with the phase lasting five to seven days and incl:
- Fever
- Chills
- Severe headache
- Cough
- Muscle or joint pain
- Sore throat
- Rash
You might improve for a day or two, and then additional symptoms start. The second phase of symptoms can include:
- Abdominal or chest pain
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Dizziness
- Unintended weight loss
- Bloody poop or vomit
- Bleeding from your nose, mouth, eyes or vagina
- Confusion