The Kitum Cave, located in Mount Elgon National Park in Kenya, became famous after two visitors died due to contracting a deadly virus called Marburg.
According to research, the virus can be found in caves and mines where animals such as bats of the Rousettus colony leave their traces.
Humans exposed for long hours to such environments can contract the virus, which happened in the case of French nationals, a man and a boy who died in 1980 and 1987 respectively.
Reports reveal that the two casualties died immediately after visiting the Kitum cave, which led to the belief that the Marburg virus caused their demise as their manifested symptoms related to those of the virus.
Following the two incidents, the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Disease (USAMRIID) visited the site to conduct research and ascertain the facts surrounding the cases.
However, the research results showed no sign of the Marburg virus at the time of research, which conflicted with previous reports about the cause of death for the victims.
Despite the conclusions, Kitum remains one of the most dangerous caves in the world.
Marburg Virus
Information provided by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention describes the Marburg virus as fatal.
Previously known as Marburg Hemorrhagic fever, the virus is transferred from bats and can be transmitted through close human-to-human contact.
On-set symptoms experienced during the incubation period, which lasts between two to nine days, include headache, chills and fever. The virus is not transferable during the incubation period.
Other symptoms after the virus is recorded as full-blown include a severe rash on the chest and back, jaundice, haemorrhaging, severe weight loss, and even to some extent multi-organ failure.
Africa CDC reported recent cases in South Africa after the patient travelled to Zimbabwe. Other areas with registered cases include Angola, Kenya, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
