Marburg virus: Brits warned of deadly 'eye bleeding' disease spreading in 17 countries

The deadly Marburg virus can make a patient's eyes bleed - and has a terrifying mortality rate of 88 per cent. Health officials in the UK say they are 'prepared' to respond to any confirmed cases

Brits heading abroad have been issued a new health warning over a potentially deadly disease that can make your eyes bleed.

Experts say they are monitoring the spread of the Marburg virus following multiple reported deaths during an outbreak in Rwanda this autumn. It comes as another two serious infectious diseases - the mpox Clade I variant and tropical Oropouche fever - continue to spread across a number of countries. A specialist at health advice service Travel Health Pro said: "A Marburg virus disease outbreak has been reported in Rwanda. Multi-country outbreaks of mpox clade I and Oropouche are also ongoing."

Marburg virus disease (MVD) has been reported to have a mortality rate as high as 88 per cent in previous outbreaks. Transmission to humans occurs through "prolonged exposure" to mines or caves inhabited by colonies of Rousettus fruit bats.

The virus spreads via person-to-person contact through bodily fluids, as well as interaction with infected materials and surfaces. Symptoms of the disease can appear abruptly, with high fever, severe headache, and muscle aches and pains being common. Severe watery diarrhoea, abdominal pain and cramping, nausea and vomiting typically begin on the third day.

Patients have reported non-itchy rashes between two and seven days after symptoms start. From the fifth day, patients may develop haemorrhagic manifestations, including fresh blood in vomit and faeces, and bleeding from the nose, gums, eyes and vagina.

No cases of the Marburg virus have been reported in the UK, and health officials say the NHS is "equipped and prepared" to respond to any potential cases. A recent statement on the UK Health Security Agency website read: "The outbreak in Rwanda was confirmed in late September 2024 and there have been some deaths. This is the first documented outbreak of Marburg virus in Rwanda and authorities there are investigating its source. Close contacts of cases in Rwanda are being identified and followed up for 21 days.

"UKHSA, the NHS and partner agencies (including devolved administrations) have well-tested capabilities to detect, contain and treat novel infectious diseases, and healthcare professionals are equipped and prepared to respond to any confirmed cases in the UK."