Marburg Virus Signs and Symptoms
The primary hosts of the Marburg virus disease include
African fruit bats:
- Ghana, a country in West Africa, recently reported the first-ever Marburg virus disease outbreak (MVD).
- The Marburg virus, which causes MVD and is frequently referred to as Ebola's deadly cousin, presently has no known cure and is a 50% average mortality rate.
- Researchers are currently developing cures for this fatal illness.
The World Health Organization (WHO) said earlier this month
that Ghana, a country in West Africa, had announced the first-ever epidemic of
the Marburg virus sickness (MVD).
Two unrelated individuals, aged 26 and 51, who passed away
in the southern Ashanti section of the country were diagnosed with the unusual
condition brought on by the Marburg virus, according to the Ghana Health
Services. The disease findings were also corroborated by the Noguchi Memorial
Institute for Medical Research and the Institut Pasteur in Dakar, Senegal.
Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa,
declares in a formal news statement that "health authorities have moved
rapidly, obtaining a head start planning for a probable outbreak."
This is advantageous since Marburg might quickly spiral out
of control in the absence of a swift and decisive response. Since the epidemic
has been announced, we are mobilizing additional resources for the response, and
WHO is on the ground assisting local health authorities, the official said.
exactly is a Marburg virus?
The Ebola virus and the Marburg virus are both members of
the viral family Filoviridae, which includes the animal-borne Marburg virus.
While laboratory employees in Marburg, Frankfurt, and
Belgrade, Yugoslavia (modern-day Serbia), displayed symptoms of hemorrhagic
fever and were then exposed to infected African monkeys, researchers made the
initial discovery of the Marburg virus in 1967.
Since then, the Marburg virus has been responsible for
roughly 600 human infections, including epidemics in Uganda and Angola.
does the Marburg virus spread among people?
The Marburg virus is the source of Marburg's illness (MVD).
The African fruit bat is the principal Marburg virus carrier. A person can
contract the disease through prolonged contact with infected bats in caves or
mines, as well as through contact with the bodily fluids or feces of an
After becoming infected, the Marburg virus can be
transmitted from one person to another by coming into contact with their bodily
fluids, which can include blood, saliva, sweat, semen, vomit, amniotic fluid,
and breast milk. Direct touch with a person's bodily fluids can cause infection,
as can contact with body fluids that are on a surface or object like clothing
Healthcare workers and others who frequently come into touch
with bodily fluids are more likely to catch MVD from infected patients.
A person who has died from MVD remains contagious after
death, therefore individuals who care for sick family members or work in the
funeral industry may be exposed to the disease.
Aside from humans, non-human primates like gorillas and
monkeys can contract the Marburg virus.
Thus according to Dr. Jonathan Towner, head of the Virus-Host
Ecology Section in the Viral Special Pathogens Branch at the Centers for
Disease Control as well as Prevention (CDC), historically, those most at higher
risk of contracting MVD have been family members and hospital staff who care
for patients who are infected with the Marburg virus but have not taken the
proper precautions to prevent and control infection.
He informed MNT that some professions, such as those dealing
with non-human primates from Africa in laboratories or quarantine facilities,
may also be more susceptible to Marburg virus exposure. "Exposure risk can
be increased for travelers to endemic areas of Africa who come into contact
with or are close to Egyptian roulette bats present in caves or mines in which
these bats normally reside."
signs and symptoms are present?
The Marburg virus has an incubation period that can range
from two to 21 days before symptoms manifest. MVD signs and symptoms include:
- Fever or chills
- Musculoskeletal pains
- Vomiting or feeling queasy
- Throat pain
- Rash itchy on the stomach, back, or chest.
- Difficulties relating to hemorrhages, such as bleeding gums, noses, skin, or eyes
- Fatality figures
MVD death rates can range from 24 to 88 percent, depending
on the virus strains and management, with an average of 50 percent.
the Marburg virus sickness treated?
The MVD condition is currently untreated.
Currently, medical practitioners deal with MVD's many
symptoms as they appear. In addition, if the patient is hospitalized, medical
professionals will administer supportive therapies like rehydration and blood
transfusions to replace blood loss due to hemorrhagic symptoms.
Presently, research is being done on a few potential
treatments for MVD. According to a 2018 study, the antiviral medication
Favipiravi effectively treated MVB in a mouse model.
the Marburg virus be prevented?
The danger of bat-to-human transmission can be decreased by
avoiding caverns and mines with dense bat populations, according to a statement
made in an official capacity earlier this month by Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye,
director-general of the Ghana Health Service. In addition, he advised fully
cooking any animal items before consuming them.
Stay away from mines or caverns where fruit bat colonies are
found for an extended period of time, she advised MNT. Avoid coming into
contact with infected individuals directly or closely, especially while
handling their bodily fluids. And before eating, make sure you fully prepare
any animal items (including meat and blood).
"Danger to the U.S. is very low unless you are a
tourist with a recent history of visiting caves in Africa that contain Egyptian
roulette bats, the only purely natural reservoir, or have been in direct
physical interaction with people or non-human primates having to suffer from
Marburg virus disease," Dr. Towner continued.
He stated, "MVD is a relatively uncommon condition in
people. "Although, when it does, there is a chance that it will spread to
other people, particularly medical personnel and the patient's relatives. It is
essential to raise awareness of the clinical symptoms experienced by patients
with MVD among the general public and healthcare professionals. Increased
knowledge may result in early and more aggressive protective measures against
the Marburg virus among family members and medical professionals.
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