An urgent warning has been issued for travelers following the continued spread of the Marburg, Mpox and Oreopouche viruses, affecting more than 17 countries around the world. Marburg, known as the bleeding eye virus, has now killed 15 people in Rwanda, where hundreds are believed to be infected. With a 50-50 risk of death, it is believed that one of the worst diseases on the planet could spread to neighboring African countries that are already experiencing 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 virus family as deadly Ebola.

Mpox is spreading across Africa and Europe

Cases of Mpox clade 1 have been reported in countries such as Burundi, Central African Republic, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda. More serious cases have been confirmed in Africa, as well as in the UK. Cases of mpox were previously limited to just five countries in Central Africa.

The most recent case had just returned from Uganda and was announced in Leeds on Sunday (01 December). The first had returned from Africa on October 21 and the other four lived in the same house in London.

Advisory issued for travelers in UK

“Mpox is very contagious in households with close contacts and so it is not unexpected to see other cases in the same household,” said Professor Susan Hopkins, chief medical adviser at the UK Health Protection Agency.

Even though the risk in the UK remains low, Travel Health Pro has issued a warning to people traveling to and from the country to take extra precautions. With no pre-travel vaccination for mumps available in the UK, it advised people to ask a health professional if they can travel before traveling abroad. It adds: “In particular, pregnant people and people with weakened immune systems are considered to be at higher risk of serious 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, wash hands regularly and use sanitizers, and keep their hands away from their faces, reports Metro.

The disease is spread through non-sexual contact as well as close sexual contact.

Oropouche virus is spreading in South American and Caribbean countries

Oropouche virus is also being spread through midge bites in several South American countries and the Caribbean state popular among tourists. More than 10,000 people have been infected this year in Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Panama, Peru, Ecuador, Guyana, Bolivia and the Dominican Republic. There is no specific medicine or vaccine for this virus and some people have died from it.

Oreopoach virus disease, which causes flu-like symptoms, is a disease with mild symptoms. But sometimes they may come back after a few days or weeks or cause complications in pregnancy.

Marburg virus symptoms and signs

Marburg’s symptoms occur in two phases, phase one lasts five to seven days and includes:

• Fever
• feeling cold
• severe headache
• cough
• muscle or joint pain
• sore throat
• rash

You may improve in a day or two, and then additional symptoms will begin. Symptoms in the second stage may include:

• stomach or chest pain
• vomit
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• unexpected weight loss
• bloody stool or vomit
• bleeding from your nose, mouth, eyes, or vagina
• Confusion

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