The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed a new outbreak of the deadly virus called ‘Marburg’ in Equatorial Guinea country.
Marburg virus is a rare and highly virulent virus that is classified as a member of the Filoviridae family, which also includes the Ebola virus.
The virus was first identified in 1967, when outbreaks of a mysterious illness occurred simultaneously in several laboratories in Marburg and Frankfurt, Germany, and in Belgrade, Yugoslavia. The outbreak was traced to the importation of African green monkeys from Uganda, which were used for research purposes.
Marburg virus causes severe and often fatal hemorrhagic fever in humans and non-human primates. The virus is transmitted through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected animals or humans, including blood, saliva, urine, and feces. The virus can also be spread through contact with contaminated surfaces or objects.
Symptoms
The symptoms of Marburg virus typically appear 2-21 days after infection and include fever, headache, muscle aches, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. As the disease progresses, it can cause severe hemorrhaging (bleeding) and organ failure. The mortality rate for Marburg virus is high, with up to 88% of cases resulting in death.
Treatment
There is currently no specific treatment for Marburg virus, and no vaccine is available for prevention. Treatment is primarily focused on managing symptoms and providing supportive care, such as fluids and electrolytes to replace those lost through diarrhea and vomiting.
Strict infection control measures, including the use of personal protective equipment, isolation of infected individuals, and disinfection of contaminated surfaces and objects, are critical in controlling outbreaks of the virus.
