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New Delhi: An urgent warning has been issued after the widespread and continuing spread of Marburg, Mpox and Oropouche in at least 17 countries now. Travellers have been advised to exercise extra caution against the spread of a new virus, also called the ‘Bleeding Eye’ virus.
Marburg, also termed as the ‘Bleeding Eye’s virus due to one of its symptoms, has killed 15 people in Rwanda and has left hundreds of them infected, reports The Mirror.
‘Bleeding Eye’ virus sparks global fear
With a 50/50 risk of death, the ‘bleeding eye’ virus is thought to be one of the deadliest on earth and could spread to other African countries which are already struggling to cope with other viruses and its outbreaks.
Mpox clade 1 has also been detected in Burundi, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Uganda and Kenya. This year, the UK has had five confirmed instances of the more serious of the Mpox cases, which were previously limited to just five nations in central Africa.
The most recent case was just returned from Uganda and was announced in Leeds today. The first had returned from Africa on October 21 and the other four lived in the same London household.
Mpox very infectious in households
“Mpox is very infectious in households with close contact, so it is not unexpected to see further cases within the same household,” stated Professor Susan Hopkins, chief medical adviser at the UK Health Security Agency. Despite the fact that “the overall risk to the UK population remains low,” it prompted Travel Health Pro, an information website by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) – to ask global travellers to stay vigilant.
Even though the risk to the UK remains low, but Travel Health Pro have issued a warning to travellers coming to and from the country to take extra care. Since the UK does not yet have a pre-travel mpox vaccine, it encouraged people to consult a healthcare provider before departing the country to determine their suitability for travel.
“Pregnant and immunocompromised individuals are known to be at higher risk of severe infection,” the statement stated. Before you leave, be sure you have travel health insurance.
Precautions to be followed during Mpox
Avoid contact with people who are unwell or have a rash. Wash your hands regularly and use hand sanitiser and keep your hands away from your face, as per The Metro.
The disease is spread through non-sexual and close sexual contact. Another virus, Oropouche, is being spread by midge bites in a number of South American nations as well as a tourist-friendly Caribbean state.
The virus, which has infected over 10,000 people this year in Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guyana, Panama, and Peru, does not currently have any specific medications or vaccines. A small number of people have reportedly died because of this virus.
Signs of Marburg virus seen in patients
Although “rare and very unusual in travelers,” Marburg has occasionally been recorded in travelers who have spent extended periods of time in mines or caverns that are home to bat colonies. Contact with damaged skin, blood, body fluids, secretions, and mucous membranes in the mouth, nose, or eyes of infected individuals can all spread it. The World Health Organization states that the first signs of Marburg disease appear suddenly after an incubation period of two to twenty-one days:
Fever Excruciating headaches
Extreme fatigue
Body aches and pain in the muscles
On day three, more symptoms such as severe watery diarrhea, cramping in the abdomen, nausea, vomiting and a non-itch rash appear.
Symptoms starting on day five include: Bleeding from the nose, gums, vagina, eyes, mouth, and ears, as well as new blood in the vomit and feces
Internal bleeding
Disorientation
Agitation
Hostility and testicular inflammation
Patients may pass away eight or nine days after the onset of symptoms, frequently as a result of shock or significant blood loss. What signs of mpox are present? It may take up to 21 days following an mpox infection for symptoms to manifest. A month-long rash is the most noticeable and typical sign. It affects the cheeks, palms, soles of the feet, groin, genitalia, and anal region and resembles blisters and sores.
Additional initial signs of mpox include: Backache and muscle aches, Swollen glands Shivering (colds), high temperature, headache, fatigue, joint discomfort
Initial signs of Oropouche include: Oropouche disease symptoms start to show up three to ten days after infection and remain for around a week. These consist of: Nausea, Vomiting, Rash, Fever Chills, Headache Joint and muscular discomfort.
