Concerns rise over potential pandemic from Kenya's deadly Kitum cave

New Delhi: In the serene landscape of Mount Elgon National Park in Kenya, the seemingly innocuous Kitum Cave hides a perilous secret that could potentially lead to a global health crisis. Dubbed the 'most dangerous place on Earth,' this cave is a reservoir for the deadly Marburg virus, known for causing severe viral hemorrhagic fever in humans.

Kitum Cave's notoriety is rooted in its grim history from the 1980s, when two visitors contracted the Marburg virus within its confines and subsequently died. These incidents have cast a long shadow over the cave, highlighting its potential as a source of highly infectious diseases. The Marburg virus, akin to the feared Ebola virus, originates from Rousettus bats prevalent in such caves. It can be transmitted to humans through close contact with infected bodily fluids, leading to symptoms such as fever, headaches, muscle pain, and severe internal bleeding.

Recent reports and expert warnings suggest that the environmental conditions within Kitum Cave might foster not only Marburg but other lethal pathogens as well. The cave's dark history and biological risks have sparked fears that it could be the ground zero for a new pandemic. "The virus causes severe viral hemorrhagic fever, which was first identified in Marburg, Germany in 1967," notes a WHO report, emphasising the widespread geographical reach of past outbreaks, including in Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Uganda, and South Africa.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) continues to monitor the situation closely, having previously issued alerts during a 2023 Marburg outbreak in several African countries. The fatality rate of over 88 per cent associated with the virus underscores the critical nature of the threat it poses. Health advisories stress the importance of vigilance and preventive measures to curb the spread of this and other similar viruses.

As the world keeps a wary eye on Kitum Cave, the potential for another tragic pandemic looms, reminding global health authorities and the public of the ever-present danger lurking in the natural reservoirs of deadly diseases.