Distinguishing viruses responsible for influenza-like illness
This Kenya Cave, Believed To Be Source Of Ebola, Could Cause Next Pandemic: WHO Issues Warning About Marburg Virus Outbreak
The 600-foot-deep cave has been continuously dug and expanded by elephants, only to have disease-carrying bats make it their home. The world's deadliest cave Kitum, located in Mount Elgon National Park in Kenya, could cause the next pandemic. Read on to know more.The Kitum cave in Mount Elgon National Park, Kenya, is known as the world's deadliest cave. According to the experts, this cave is a house to some of the most deadliest and dangerous viruses, like Ebola and Marburg. In a recent study, experts have cautioned that this cave will be the origin of the next pandemic! The revelation has left healthcare experts worried that the Marburg virus might cause the next big outbreak, and the World Health Organization (WHO) has also issued a warning, stating that the Marburg virus is 'epidemic-prone'. "The 600-foot-deep cave has been continuously dug and expanded by elephants, only to have disease-carrying bats make it their home," the experts were quoted as saying.
What is Marburg Virus Infection?Marburg is an illness marked by bleeding and disruption of bodily functions. It can be deadly, with up to 88 per cent of people dying from it. Speaking to TheHealthSite.Com, an expert stated that, "Marburg virus infection is a grave disease with a high mortality rate that falls under the same family as Ebola virus. Though rare, it's a lethal infection that passes on to humans from fruit bats and propagates through human interactions. Any outbreaks of this illness usually result in high death rates, posing a significant worry for health professionals and society at large globally".
Marburg is a dangerous and lethal virus that is known to be a "highly virulent disease which can trigger hemorrhagic fever." The virus after entering the human body usually lowers the natural functional capacity and affects the cardiovascular system. With a mortality rate of up to 88 per cent, the virus is related to the virus that causes Ebola. Just like coronavirus, this infection can also get transmitted to other people by touching towels or other objects that have come into contact with an infected individual.
Symptoms of Marburg Virus InfectionThe virus takes at least three weeks to "incubate" before a patient starts showing symptoms. "The virus typically remains dormant for at least three weeks before symptoms appear in patients. However, the early signs often mimic those of malaria and Ebola," experts quoted as saying.
Some of the most common warning symptoms of Marburg virus infection include:
As the disease advances, victims may witness severe bleeding from various body parts and organ failure. However, diagnosing this infection is tricky due to its vague symptoms which often result in its late identification and treatment.
Are There Any Vaccines Available? Unfortunately, no vaccines are available for the virus and doctors treat symptoms by medications and fluids.
History Of Marburg VirusMarburg virus first emerged on the radar in 1967 when it caused contagious outbreaks in Marburg and Frankfurt in Germany and Belgrade in erstwhile Yugoslavia. The virus primarily transfers from infected animals like fruit bats, its natural vessels, to humans. Upon penetration into the human populace, it multiplies swiftly via close encounters with infected individuals, interaction with body fluids, or contact with contaminated objects.
In the year 1980, during an exploration of Kitum Cave, also known as the killer cave in the books of history, a French engineer working at a nearby sugar mill accidentally came into contact with the Marburg virus. He passed away shortly after being admitted to a hospital in Nairobi. As per reports, the man's fast decline from viral hemorrhagic or blood-letting fever was described in a book about the case as "as if the face is detaching itself from the skull," with his face seeming to hang from the underlying bone as the connective tissue dissolved. In another incident, a few years later, a Danish boy who was on vacation with his family also fell victim to a similar hemorrhagic virus known as Ravn and died, near the same cave.
Our Experience With the COVID-19 PandemicIn the year 2019, the world witnessed the worst virus outbreak in the history of mankind - the COVID-19 pandemic. With continuous monitoring and proper vigilance from healthcare and government efforts, the virus was put under control after 3 long years. However, this new revelation about the Marburg virus causing the next deadly pandemic has left the experts and WHO worried again!
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This Kenya Cave, Believed To Be Source Of Ebola, Could Cause Next Pandemic
The cave turned out to be home to some of the deadliest viruses in human history.
The world's deadliest cave Kitum, located in Mount Elgon National Park in Kenya, could cause the next pandemic, as per a report in Science Times. The cave turned out to be home to some of the deadliest viruses in human history. Ebola virus and Marburg virus were reported to have started there. Now, experts worry that it may be home to the next pandemic- the Marburg virus, The World Health Organisation issued a warning, stating that the Marburg virus was "epidemic prone."
According to the report, Marburg is a "highly virulent disease that causes hemorrhagic fever." The illness lowers the body's functional capacity and harms the cardiovascular system. With a mortality rate of up to 88 per cent, the virus is related to the virus that causes Ebola. Fruit bats, which are widespread throughout central Africa, can also spread the virus from person to person by contact with an infected person's body fluids. Additionally, the disease can be transmitted to other people by touching towels or other objects that have come into contact with an infected individual.
Notably, the virus takes at least three weeks to "incubate" before a patient starts showing symptoms. However, the warning signs mostly resemble those of malaria and Ebola. Several people infected with the virus develop deep-set eyes and expressionless faces. It can also cause bleeding from the vagina, eyes, nose, and gums, in later stages. Unfortunately, no vaccines are available for the virus and doctors treat symptoms by medications and fluids.
Meanwhile, in 1980, while investigating Kitum Cave, a French engineer employed at a nearby sugar mill came into touch with the body-melting Marburg virus. He soon died at a Nairobi hospital. The man's fast decline from viral hemorrhagic or blood-letting fever was described in a book about the case as "as if the face is detaching itself from the skull," with his face seeming to hang from the underlying bone as the connective tissue dissolved. Years later, a Danish boy on vacation with his family became the victim of the deadly caves. He also died from a similar hemorrhagic virus called Ravn. The important salty minerals discovered in the cave have drawn not just elephants but also buffaloes, antelope, leopards, and hyenas from western Kenya, making Kitum a breeding ground for zoonotic infections, the researchers said. The 600-foot-deep cave has been continuously dug and expanded by elephants, only to have disease-carrying bats make it their home, the Science Times report added.Common Virus Is Likely To Cause The Next Global Pandemic, Scientists Warn
Scientists have warned that a common virus is most likely to trigger the next global pandemic, according to a new study.
Influenza, or flu, has been ranked as the top pathogen of concern by the majority of infectious disease experts worldwide due to its potential to spark a pandemic.
The second most concerning illness was ominously named 'Disease X' - while other potential triggers included Coronavirus, Ebola, the original SARS virus from the early 2000s and Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF).
The study, which will be formally presented at the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases's (ESCMID) Global Congress in Barcelona later this month, involved a survey of 187 global infectious disease experts from 57 different countries.
Each expert was asked to rank various pathogens based on their perceived pandemic risk, including diseases featured in the World Health Organisation's Research and Development Blueprint for Action to Prevent Epidemics.
READ NEXT: WHO warning over 'next pandemic' that could cause 'extremely high' death rates
In a revealing study, experts have ranked various pathogens based on their potential to cause a pandemic.
Influenza viruses emerged as the top threat, with 57 percent of experts placing it at the forefront and 17 percent ranking it second.
Meanwhile, the mysterious Disease X was considered to have the highest pandemic potential by over a fifth (21 percent) of the experts, with another 14 percent placing it in second place.
Coronavirus, specifically SARS-CoV-2, was identified as the third most concerning, with nearly one in ten (8 percent) experts ranking it as the primary threat and 16 percent considering it the second most dangerous.
The original SARS-CoV virus from the 2002-03 outbreak received less attention, being voted the top concern by only two per cent of respondents and second by eight per cent.
Jointly occupying the fifth spot were the CCHF and Ebola viruses, each receiving 1.6 percent of votes for the top position.
Pathogens like Nipah virus, henipavirus, and Rift Valley fever virus were deemed least likely to cause a pandemic according to the experts' perception.
Dr Jon Salmanton-Garcia, lead author from the University of Cologne, Germany, summarised the findings: "The study revealed that influenza, Disease X, SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and the Ebola virus are the most worrisome pathogens concerning their pandemic potential.
"These pathogens are characterised by their transmissibility through respiratory droplets and a history of previous epidemic or pandemic outbreaks."
Dr Salmanton-Garcia, speaking on the ranking of influenza, explained that the flu already triggers 'mini pandemics' globally each winter. "Each winter we have an influenza season," he stated.
"Yet, every season the strains involved change, that is the reason why we can get influenza several times in life and vaccines change year to year. In case a new strain becomes more virulent, this control could be lost."
Disease X concept explained by WHO doctor in 2018However, Dr Salmanton-Garcia added that the world is now much more prepared for a global pandemic after Covid.
"In the Covid-19 pandemic, we have learned many things on how to approach a respiratory virus pandemic," he continued.
"This includes social distancing, hand cleaning, face masks, a renewed focus on vaccination, and trust in healthcare institutions.
In parallel, institutions have also learnt a lot. Preparedness and surveillance are now, vitally, better-funded."
The study was published in the journal Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease.
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