Bleeding eye disease with 50 pc survival rate a cause of concern

Global reports of the fast spreading Marbug or bleeding eye virus has raised concern about the deadly disease which has already spread to some countries. Marburg is spread through contact with Egyptian rousette bats, or by contact with infected individuals. How safe are the people in India and what are the current treatment options available for viral disease. Full report.
As per the latest update a new strain of virus called the

Marbug virus

has sparked concerns globally. The disease which can be transmitted from human to human can cause fatal symptoms and lead to death in 50 percent of the cases. One of the typical symptoms of the disease is bleeding of the eyes and hence it has been termed as the

bleeding eye disease

. Marburg is spreading in multiple countries, according to the UK Department of Health’s site, Travel Health Pro. There have been 66 illnesses and 15 deaths in Rwanda, according to the CDC, but many more may be infected.

As per the data provided by the World Health Organisation (WHO) Marburg virus disease (MVD) which typically causes bleeding eye syndrome was earlier known as Marburg hemorrhagic fever. It presents itself in majority cases as a fatal illness in humans. The average mortality rate in the disease is around 50%. However this has varied in different outbreaks from 24% to 88%.

Symptoms of the disease

Marburg virus disease (MVD) also known as bleeding eye disease is caused by Marburg virus, a member of the filovirus family (the same family as the Ebola virus). Symptoms typically appear 2–21 days after exposure and last for several weeks. Dr. Neha Mishra, Consultant – Infectious Diseases, Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road says,
“The Marburg virus (MV) was first identified in the year 1967. Since then it has been known to cause several outbreaks globally. Its natural reservoir is fruit bats. This disease is known to have variable mortality rates as high as 50% and case fatality varies from 24-88% as noted during a previous outbreak. This can spread through direct contact with the secretion or indirect contact with surfaces. The disease can have 3 phases depending upon the timing of presentation, the “Generalization Phase”, which is characterized by flu-like symptoms and rash, an “Early Organ Phase”, which involves manifestations in specific organs, like encephalitis or hemorrhages, and a “Late Organ/Convalescence Phase”, which is characterized by multi-organ failure, shock, coma, and either death or recovery. Visiting places with ongoing outbreaks or visiting the bat caves may spread the Marburg virus. The medical units practice complete isolation of the patients and care for these patients with utter cautions to curtail the spread. This virus can impact the travel to the areas. However, with proper precaution and public awareness, the spread of the Marburg virus can be avoided.”

Early symptoms (Day 1–5)

Sudden onset of high fever with chills.
Severe headache with muscle aches and pains.
Extreme fatigue and weakness.
Loss of appetite.

Later symptoms (Day 5–7)

Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea: Can become severe, often described as “watery diarrhea.”
Abdominal pain and cramping.
Sore throat.
Rash: A non-itchy rash may appear, primarily on the chest, back, and stomach.

Extreme symptoms

Bleeding from the gums, nose, or injection sites; blood in vomit, stool, or urine as the fever causes haemorrage.
Liver failure, kidney dysfunction, and jaundice.
Neurological symptoms due to brain involvement.
Septic shock due to severe fluid loss or bleeding.
In some patients it can lead to multi-organ failure, coma and death: The fatality rate in the disease can range from 24% to 88%, depending on treatment and outbreak context.
It is noted that not every person infected with Marbug virus dies and so with timely treatment and diagnosis it can be managed as well and there are cases of recovery too. If Marburg virus is suspected, immediate isolation and contact tracing are critical, along with supportive care like rehydration and symptom management. No specific antiviral treatment exists, but early supportive care improves survival chances.
MVD spreads through contact with: Body fluids (e.g., blood, saliva, sweat, urine)
Infected surfaces or materials.
Infected animals, particularly bats and nonhuman primates.

Origin of the disease

As per information provided by WHO. The viral infection was first detected in 1967 when two outbreaks simultaneously happened in Marburg and Frankfurt in Germany, and in Belgrade, Serbia. Like COVID-19 initially, this outbreak is also said to have its origin in the laboratory while working with African green monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops) imported from Uganda. Since then occasional cases have been reported year after year in countries like Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa (in a person with recent travel history to Zimbabwe), Tanzania and Uganda.
As per data, the initial Marbug human infections were the result of prolonged exposure to mines or caves inhabited by Rousettus fruit bat colonies. But once transmitted to the human population, Marburg virus can spread through human-to-human transmission via direct contact (through broken skin or mucous membranes) with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people, and with surfaces and materials (e.g. bedding, clothing) contaminated with these fluids.

Are Marburg virus and Mpox (Clade 1)same:

No, they are not the same; they are distinct viruses with different origins, transmission methods, and effects on humans.