Britons were today warned of a “triple threat” of deadly viruses which have spread to more than a dozen countries around the world.
The mpox, Marburg and Oropouche virus clade I strain has already been detected in 17 countries in total, including a hotspot in the Caribbean.
Officials are especially spooked by rising cases of Marburg, one of the deadliest pathogens ever discovered.
has already killed at least 15 people in Rwandaand hundreds of people are being monitored for suspected infection.
There are fears that the virus, which causes patients to bleed from their eyes, could spread to other African nations.
Meanwhile, the Oropouche virus, nicknamed “sloth fever,” has spread outside its usual range in South America, to the Caribbean winter hotspot, the Dominican Republic.
Clade I, a separate mutant form of mpox, is spreading rampantly in Africa, with some cases also reported in Canada, the United Kingdom, and Sweden.
The alert was issued by Travel Health Pro, a website commissioned by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), to help keep Brits informed on the latest travel health advice.
The Marburg virus, a relative of Ebola, causes bleeding from the orifices and kills up to 9 out of 10 infected
Marburg has a mortality rate of up to 88 percent. There are currently no vaccines or treatments approved to treat the virus.
It said: ‘TO marburg virus An outbreak of disease has been reported in Rwanda.’
“Outbreaks are also ongoing in several countries of mpox clade I and Oropouche.”
Marburg is a hemorrhagic fever, in which organs and blood vessels are damaged, causing bleeding internally or in the eyes, mouth and ears.
The virus, for which there is no licensed vaccine, can be transmitted by touching or handling body fluids of an infected person, contaminated objects, or infected wild animals.
Infected patients become “ghost-like,” often developing sunken eyes and expressionless faces.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says it has a case fatality rate (CFR) of up to 88 percent, meaning it can kill almost 9 out of every 10 people it infects.
Travelers to Rwanda should “make an appointment with their healthcare professional at least four to six weeks before travel,” Travel Health Pro said.
While abroad, Brits should also avoid taking part in funeral or burial rituals, visiting traditional healers and handling, cooking or eating wild meat.
Marburg virus (MVD) is initially transmitted to people by fruit bats and spreads among humans through direct contact with the body fluids of infected people, surfaces, and materials.
They should also avoid visiting mines or bat caves and having contact with all wild animals; alive or dead, particularly bats, they added.
“If you decide to visit mines or caves inhabited by colonies of fruit bats, wear gloves and other appropriate protective clothing, including masks.”
Meanwhile, the Oropouche virus has caused alarm with more than 10,000 confirmed cases this year alone.
In 2024, specific outbreaks have been recorded in Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Dominican Republic, Guyana, Peru and Panama.
The virus, named after the animal in which it was initially detected, has no vaccine or specific treatment.
It is known to cause headache, muscle aches, joint stiffness, nausea, chills, sensitivity to light, and vomiting.
However, it can quickly cross the blood-brain barrier and enter the central nervous system, where it can cause meningitis and, in extreme cases, kill.
Travel Health Pro recommended those in the listed areas wear insect repellent, long-sleeved shirts and long pants to reduce the risk of being stung.
The Oropouche virus, nicknamed “laziness fever”, has caused alarm: more than 10,000 cases have been confirmed this year alone.
They added: “Due to the recent discovery of Oropouche virus in semen, travelers and their partners concerned about the possible spread of Oropouche through sex should consider using condoms or not having sex during travel and for six weeks after returning.” of the trip”.
Analysis of the current Oropouche strain suggests it has grown to become more efficient at infecting people and this could be behind the rise in cases and in areas where it has not been seen before.
The mpox clade I strain has also been detected in Rwanda, Burundi, Central African Republic, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Kenya and Uganda.
In August, the WHO declared the strain a public health emergency of international concern.
Mpox causes characteristic lumpy lesions, as well as fever, pain, and fatigue.
However, in a small number of cases, it can enter the blood and lungs, as well as other parts of the body, when it is life-threatening.
The current mpox vaccines, which are designed to act against smallpox, a close relative of the mpox virus, were used during the 2022 outbreak against the milder strain.
But they have yet to be extensively tested against the most potent clade 1b strain.
A confirmed case of clade Ib mpox was recently reported in the United Kingdom, after an unidentified individual visited a country where type 1b had been reported.
Since then, three more cases have been detected in household contacts of the first case.