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Cave warning on Uganda bat virus | |
(9 minutes later) | |
The World Health Organization has warned people not to go into Ugandan caves with bats, after a Dutch tourist contracted the deadly Marburg virus. | The World Health Organization has warned people not to go into Ugandan caves with bats, after a Dutch tourist contracted the deadly Marburg virus. |
The woman, aged 40, died after being taken to hospital following her return to the Netherlands, health authorities there said. | |
They said she probably contracted the disease while visiting a Ugandan cave inhabited by fruit bats. | They said she probably contracted the disease while visiting a Ugandan cave inhabited by fruit bats. |
Marburg is a contagious disease that causes sudden bleeding and high fever. | Marburg is a contagious disease that causes sudden bleeding and high fever. |
There is no treatment or vaccine. | There is no treatment or vaccine. |
The largest outbreak occurred in 2004-2005 in Angola and killed more than 300 people. | The largest outbreak occurred in 2004-2005 in Angola and killed more than 300 people. |
No tourists are known to have previously contracted the disease. | No tourists are known to have previously contracted the disease. |
"It is an isolated case of imported Marburg," said WHO spokesman Gregory Hartl. | "It is an isolated case of imported Marburg," said WHO spokesman Gregory Hartl. |
"People should not think about amending their travel plans to Uganda but should not go into caves with bats." | "People should not think about amending their travel plans to Uganda but should not go into caves with bats." |
Dutch health officials said people who had come into contact with the woman on her return were being closely monitored. | Dutch health officials said people who had come into contact with the woman on her return were being closely monitored. |
In the past, Marburg and the related Ebola virus have caused outbreaks in humans and great apes with mortality rates of 80 to 90%. | In the past, Marburg and the related Ebola virus have caused outbreaks in humans and great apes with mortality rates of 80 to 90%. |
Early symptoms of Marburg are diarrhoea, stomach pains, nausea and vomiting, which give way to bleeding. It is spread by the transfer of blood or other bodily fluids. | Early symptoms of Marburg are diarrhoea, stomach pains, nausea and vomiting, which give way to bleeding. It is spread by the transfer of blood or other bodily fluids. |
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