Dubbed as the ‘Most Dangerous Place on Earth,’ This Cave Is an Invitation From the Grim Reaper | CPT PPP Coverage

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Kenya’s mysterious Kitum Cave, carved with elephant tusks and located deep in Mount Elgon National Park, has baffled scientists. The 700-foot-long cave was believed to harbor serious diseases like the Marburg virus and Ebola. For example, in 1980, a French engineer working at a nearby sugar factory was infected with the deadly Marburg virus just by visiting the cave and eventually died in a Nairobi hospital.

A book about the case explained, “Connective tissue in his face is dissolving, and his face appears to hang from the underlying bone, as reported by the UNILAD. The man’s rapid decay from the viral hemorrhagic or blood-letting fever, as if the face is detaching itself from the skull.” 

After the eye-opening events of the 1980s, the US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) sent experts into Kitum Cave wearing special protective suits. Knewz.com noted that despite their efforts, they couldn’t find the origins and cause of the infectious virus. 

The researchers are not sure about its depth and what causes the virus to penetrate. However, some theories suggest that the presence of bat guano might have spread the viruses. As per Atlas Obscura, “Each night for hundreds (possibly thousands) of years, animals have traveled into the cave in the dead of night to use it as a giant salt lick.” Additionally, “Buffaloes, antelope, leopards, hyenas, and most of all, elephants, bumble blindly through the cave (the elephants often bump their heads in the process), making their way to the salty walls of the cave.” 

It was also believed that many animals might have fallen into the cave’s deep cracks and died. The World Health Organization had warned about this severe virus that caused hemorrhagic fever and attacked the cardiovascular system, weakening the body. The virus was related to Ebola and could be fatal in up to 88% of cases. It spreads through direct contact with blood, bodily fluids, or contaminated surfaces and materials.

After years of research, in July 2007, scientists found Marburg virus RNA in a healthy Egyptian fruit bat named Rousettus aegyptiacus from the cave. The virus samples were detected in the bat’s liver, spleen, and lungs. Boston University microbiologist Stephanie Pavlovich explained to the school’s in-house publication The Brink, “Folks had previously looked at several bat genomes and not been able to find any traditional NK cell receptors.” Another microbiologist Tom Kepler shares per The DailyMail, “The bat may be assuaging the virus for a short period, trying to prevent the virus’ growth without making a full-on attack.” 

The (WHO)had issued guidelines on the Marburg virus, noting that it could take 2 to 21 days to show symptoms after infection. Symptoms could initially resemble those of malaria or Ebola, including a “ghost-like” appearance with deep-set eyes and a blank expression. Later, infected individuals might have experienced bleeding from various parts of the body, such as the nose, gums, eyes, and vagina. Unfortunately, there are no vaccines or proven treatments; doctors can only prescribe medicines to relieve symptoms.