Deadly Virus Fears as Ebola Like Illness and Cholera Spread Across Africa

An urgent health alert has been issued after a deadly illness believed to be Marburg virus disease swept through part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. At least eight people have died in the Mweka area of Kasai after showing symptoms similar to Ebola.

Samples have been sent away for analysis but early reports suggest Marburg virus is responsible. Closely related to Ebola, Marburg is often fatal and is sometimes nicknamed “bleeding eye disease” because it attacks blood vessels, causing sufferers to bleed from multiple orifices including the eyes.

The crisis has not only left locals terrified but also prompted warnings for neighboring countries already battling another major health emergency. More than 400,000 cases of cholera have been reported across 31 countries this year alone, with almost 5,000 deaths linked to the outbreak, reported the Daily Star.

Experts say the scale of the twin threats is worsened by conflict, poverty and the impacts of climate change, which together have created a perfect storm for disease to spread unchecked.

The World Health Organisation has described the situation as “very high risk” and warned that unless urgent measures are taken, the outbreaks could escalate further and cross borders.

Efforts to stop the spread include calls for immediate access to clean water, improved sanitation and better healthcare facilities. Some countries previously placed travel warnings during earlier outbreaks, though none are currently in place. Even so, health officials are urging travellers to exercise extreme caution.

The WHO has identified several countries as being most at risk. Chad, the Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan and Sudan are all facing major outbreaks.

A spokesperson explained: “Cholera outbreaks continue to escalate across multiple countries, with seven of the 31 countries now reporting case fatality rates above 1%, indicating serious gaps in case management and delayed access to care. Among these, four countries – Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), South Sudan, and Sudan – are currently classified as being in a major outbreak due to the severity and scale of their outbreaks.”

The organisation added that porous borders and high levels of migration in the region are making matters worse. Movement across borders for trade, displacement and conflict has created more opportunities for cholera and other diseases to spread rapidly between nations.

“Given the scale, severity, and interconnected nature of these outbreaks, the risk of further spread within and between countries is considered very high,” the WHO warned. “Without urgent and coordinated public health measures, including improved case management, WASH interventions, vaccination campaigns, and cross-border collaboration, cholera transmission is likely to expand across countries.”

With Marburg virus now suspected on top of the vast cholera emergency, officials say swift global support is essential to prevent further tragedy. Communities across the region are being urged to stay vigilant, but with fragile health systems already stretched, the risk of more deaths remains dangerously high.