Mt. Elgon National Park. [Photo| F. King Tours and Safaris]Tourists intending to visit Mt Elgon National Park have been cautioned to be wary of the possible risk of Marburg virus disease in the park.According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the park has caves which host large colonies cave-dwelling fruit bats, known to transmit the Marburg virus.WHO further noted that due to the caves being located near the affected areas in Uganda, the risk of cross-border virus spread between human and bat populations in the two countries are high.“Tourists to Mount Elgon, including the caves and surrounding areas, should be warned and appropriate advice given and precautions were taken,” WHO said in a statement.Visitors to the caves have been advised to put on gloves and protective clothing, including masks and avoid exposure to fruit bats and contact with non-human primates.Meanwhile, a team headed by Dr. Bernard Agwanda of the National Museums of Kenya is mapping out all habitats of bats in the country and whether they host the Marburg virus.

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