The Marburg virus, commonly referred to as the "bleeding eye virus" due to its rare but striking symptom of bleeding from the eyes, has been causing global concern. This severe viral hemorrhagic fever, part of the filovirus family alongside Ebola, has a history of outbreaks in various African countries. The disease is notorious for its high fatality rate, which can reach up to 88%, although recent outbreaks have shown lower mortality rates with early intervention.

Recent Outbreak in Rwanda
The most recent outbreak occurred in Rwanda, East Africa, infecting 66 people and claiming 15 lives as of late November. The World Health Organization (WHO) had previously declared the virus an epidemic, cautioning travelers against visiting the country. Authorities in Rwanda, however, announced the end of the outbreak in mid-November, reporting a significantly lower fatality rate of about 23%.

What Is Marburg Virus Disease (MVD)?
Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) is a zoonotic illness primarily transmitted to humans through contact with Egyptian rousette bats, a natural host of the virus. Human-to-human transmission occurs through exposure to bodily fluids of infected individuals.

The virus damages blood vessels, leading to severe symptoms such as:

• High fever, chills, and headaches
• Bleeding from various orifices, including the eyes, nose, gums, and vagina
• Psychological symptoms like confusion and aggression
• Organ failure, which often causes death

Symptoms typically appear within 5-9 days but can remain latent for up to 21 days. Supportive care, such as rehydration and symptomatic treatment, significantly improves survival chances, though there is no specific treatment or vaccine for the disease.

Other Recent Outbreaks

• Equatorial Guinea (February 2023): The country faced its first recorded Marburg outbreak, with 16 confirmed cases, 12 deaths, and nearly 200 individuals quarantined.
• Historical Outbreaks: Previous incidents have occurred in Angola, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Global Concerns
Health experts worldwide are closely monitoring Marburg due to its potential for severe outbreaks. Alongside Marburg, other diseases like Mpox and Oropouch are also raising alarms, as reported by the UK Department of Health.

Although the recent outbreak in Rwanda has been contained, global vigilance remains crucial to prevent the spread of Marburg and similar deadly diseases.