The bleeding eye virus also known as the Marburg virus, is a deadly virus that has killed 15 people in Rwanda so far. This disease causes bleeding from the eyes, nose, or mouth of the patient. The causative agents of Marburg virus disease (MVD) are Marburg virus (MARV) and Ravn virus (RAVV). The bleeding eye virus is considered as one of the deadliest viruses on earth. It can also spread to other African countries.
What is bleeding eye virus?
Bleeding eye virus is a highly infectious pathogen belonging from the filovirus family. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has identified the disease to be severe and it can also result in fatal illness in humans. It is closely related to the Ebola virus.
It causes Marburg virus disease (MVD) which leads to a severe haemorrhagic fever with a high fatality rate. The fatality rate ranges from 24% to 88% as it depends on the availability of medical care.
WHO has stated about the fatality rate in a report that was updated in October 2024. The report reads, “The average MVD case fatality rate is around 50%. Case fatality rates have varied from 24% to 88% in past outbreaks.”
If the virus gets introduced to human population, the virus can spread easily through human-to-human through direct contact like broken skin or mucous membranes with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people, and with surfaces and materials contaminated with these fluids.
What are the symptoms of bleeding eye virus disease?
The symptoms of this disease include high fever, severe headache and severe malaise. Muscle aches and pains are also a common feature.
If not taken care, severe watery diarrhoea, abdominal pain and cramping, nausea and vomiting can begin on the third day. Non-itchy rash have been reported in patients between 2 and 7 days as well.
Hemorrhagic symptoms including fresh blood in vomit and bleeding from the nose, eyes, ears, mouth, gums, or vagina can be seen on the 5th day. Orchitis, or inflammation of the testicles, has also been occasionally reported by the patients in the later stages.
However, there is currently no vaccine or antiviral treatment for the deadly Marburg virus disease. Patients can be treated with supportive care, including hydration, maintaining oxygen levels, and treating specific symptoms as doing so can improve the survival rates. Experimental treatments like monoclonal antibodies are also under development.