Mystery Disease Called 'Nosebleed Outbreak' or 'Rat Fever' is Emerging in Some African Countries

A mystery disease called the "nosebleed outbreak" or "nosebleed virus" has been reported spreading in several countries in Africa recently.

The main symptoms of the disease, aside from nose bleeding, include fever, fatigue, and headache.

It is considered lethal since the virus had already killed at least three people in Tanzania.

The emerging threat prompted authorities to send a team of doctors and experts into the southeastern region Lindi.

The deployment led to the identification of the mysterious disease to the notorious rat-borne disease called "rat fever," or the famously known bacterial disease leptospirosis.

Fears over a potential new outbreak in Tanzania came after infected patients tested negative for the deadly Ebola virus and Marburg virus.

This led to concerns that a novel viral hemorrhagic fever is spreading in the East African nation.

Further details of the nosebleed outbreak came into light after the Tanzanian government confirmed on Monday, July 19, that it was related to the infamous rat disease.

However, local and regional health authorities are still likely to monitor the situation on the ground since zoonotic diseases are known for their ability to mutate.

Mystery Disease: Nosebleed Outbreak

(Photo : Photo by Ralph via Pexels)

Local officials confirmed the deadly nosebleed illness has been identified as the zoonotic rat disease after wave of unexplained infections in southern Tanzania.

A health minister named Ummy Mwalimu visited the affected area and urged the public to calm down, saying that the diagnosis was a "good thing" and the bacterial disease was curable and preventable, as cited by The Telegraph.

There are approximately 20 cases of the nosebleed virus, wherein two people are still in isolation, Mwalimu added.

Also Read: ALERT! Rare Rat-Borne Disease Killing Pets in New Jersey

What is Leptospirosis?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated that leptospirosis affects both animals and humans, with the bacterial disease caused by the bacterium genus Leptospira.

The impact of the rat fever to humans can be mistaken for other types of infectious diseases.

Some infected individuals may show no symptoms at all, the US health body says.

In the absence of treatment, the CDC said that leptospirosis can lead to kidney damage, meningitis, liver failure, respiratory distress, and even death.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) emphasized that leptospirosis can be acquired through direct contact with the urine of infected animals or from an environment contaminated with urine.

Marburg Outbreak in Ghana

Meanwhile, similar cases of a potential nosebleed outbreak were raised in the country of Ghana, based on recorded cases of the mystery disease.

However, multiple reports showed there was a confirmation of a Marburg outbreak in the country, instead of the novel disease.

This led to the Ghanaian government to declare its first ever cases of the Marburg virus, which is reportedly similar to the Ebola virus, as cited by metro.co.uk.

The WHO said that the Marburg virus is a highly virulent disease associated with hemorrhagic fever with up to 88% fatality ratio.

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan reportedly stated that the "strange disease" could have been the cause of an increasing interaction between humans and wild animals due to environmental degradation, as cited by the UK media outlet.

Related Article: 13 Hospitalized, One Dead as Rare Disease From Rat Urine Plague New York City