The alarming reports center around recent outbreaks of known, but highly dangerous viruses, primarily Marburg virus disease and Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF). While not a single "new" disease, the use of the vivid "bleeding eyes" description by media outlets has drawn urgent attention to the severity of these ongoing health crises.
The Viruses Behind the Outbreak
The symptom of bleeding from the eyes, medically known as conjunctival hemorrhage, is a manifestation of severe viral hemorrhagic fevers. These illnesses attack the body's vascular system, leading to instability and leakage of blood.
Marburg Virus Disease: Recent outbreaks, notably in Rwanda, have been attributed to the Marburg virus. This filovirus, from the same family as Ebola, is one of the most virulent pathogens known to infect humans, with a case fatality rate that can be as high as 88%. An outbreak in Rwanda in late 2024 reportedly resulted in at least 15 deaths, with hundreds more infected.
Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF): This tick-borne virus is also a major concern and is endemic in many parts of Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and the Balkans. CCHF has a case fatality rate ranging from 10% to 40%. The WHO has reported numerous outbreaks across the African continent in 2024 and 2025. While not always present, red eyes and hemorrhagic symptoms are key indicators of severe CCHF.
Symptoms, Transmission, and High Mortality
The initial symptoms of these viral hemorrhagic fevers are often non-specific, making early diagnosis difficult. They typically include:
Sudden onset of fever
Intense headache and muscle pain
Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
Fatigue and weakness
As the illness progresses, more severe symptoms can develop, including:
Hemorrhagic manifestations: Bleeding from the nose, gums, and eyes. Blood may also appear in the stool and vomit.
Organ failure: The viruses can lead to kidney and liver failure.
Neurological symptoms: Disorientation, seizures, and coma can occur in advanced stages.
Transmission of both Marburg and CCHF to humans occurs through different pathways. CCHF is primarily transmitted to people from ticks and livestock animals. Human-to-human transmission can occur through contact with the blood, secretions, organs, or other bodily fluids of infected persons. Marburg virus is initially transmitted from fruit bats and spreads among humans through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people, and with surfaces and materials contaminated with these fluids.
WHO and International Response
The World Health Organization is actively working with affected countries to control the spread of these deadly diseases. Key response strategies include:
Surveillance and Contact Tracing: Identifying and monitoring individuals who may have been exposed to the virus to prevent further transmission.
Case Management: Providing supportive care to infected individuals, which is currently the primary treatment as there are no specific antiviral drugs for these diseases.
Public Health Education: Raising awareness in communities about the symptoms of the diseases and the necessary precautions to avoid infection. This includes safe burial practices, as deceased individuals can still be infectious.
Laboratory Support: Enhancing diagnostic capabilities to quickly identify cases.
Health officials are urging for heightened global vigilance and support to prevent these outbreaks from escalating into larger-scale epidemics. The "bleeding eyes" symptom, while horrifying, serves as a grim reminder of the devastating impact of these viruses and the urgent need for a coordinated international response to protect vulnerable populations.
