Fact Check: Can Marburg virus infection cause bleeding eyes?

Marburg disease is spreading rapidly in Rwanda and the infection, which is caused by the Marburg virus, has claimed 11 lives so far. Every day new reports are emerging about the disease, its symptoms, the way it can spread and the complications.

Of the several pieces of information floating around regarding the Marburg virus, one concerning one is that the infected individual can bleed from eyes in this infection.

Hemorrhagic manifestations is a classic trait of Marburg disease and in severe cases the infected individuals bleed from multiple areas within 7 days. The World Health Organisation (WHO) says, "fresh blood in vomitus and feces is often accompanied by bleeding from the nose, gums, and vagina. Spontaneous bleeding at venipuncture sites (where intravenous access is obtained to give fluids or obtain blood samples) can be particularly troublesome."

As per a report by The Conversation: The virus damages blood vessels and interferes with the ability of blood to clot, which can lead to uncontrolled bleeding from the nose, eyes, gums, rectum and, in women, the vagina. The disease has a very high “case fatality rate”. Between 24 and 88% of people infected with Marburg virus die – usually through extreme blood loss and shock.

While bleeding is definitely associated with Marburg virus infection, the exact cause of the symptom can be confirmed by diagnostic testing; antibody-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), antigen-capture detection tests, serum neutralization test, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay, electron microscopy and virus isolation cell culture methods are used to confirm the presence of the virus.

Other symptoms seen in Marburg infection

Individuals infected with the Marburg infection show ghost-like features, says the WHO, with deep-set eyes, pale faces, and lethargy. High fever, severe headache, muscle ache, pain, severe diarrhea, abdominal pain, cramping, nausea and vomiting are commonly seen in patients infected with Marburg virus.

Did you know Marburg virus is related to Ebola virus?

Marburg and Ebola viruses belong to the Filoviridae family (filovirus). The two diseases are clinically similar. Despite being rare these diseases have the capacity to cause outbreaks with high fatality rates, the WHO says.

Ebola, which is said to be clinically similar to Marburg virus, can also cause redness and bleeding from the eyes, nose, mouth and rectum.

Rousettus aegyptiacus bats are considered natural hosts for Marburg virus though for the first outbreak African green monkeys were the source of infection.

The virus can stay inside the body even after one has recovered

Shockingly, the virus can stay in immune-privileged sites like the eyes and testicles for a longer time. In women who have been infected while pregnant, the virus persists in the placenta, amniotic fluid and foetus. In women who have been infected while breastfeeding, the virus may persist in breast milk.