The US CDC has warned about Marburg virus
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has urged all travellers going to Guinea and Tanzania to avoid catching the fatal virus by taking necessary precautions. The US CDC has decided to send The National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases to contain the outbreaks in Tanzania and Guinea. As on March 22, Equatorial Guinea’s Ministry of Health had confirmed eight more cases of Marburg, bringing the number of confirmed cases to nine since the outbreak of the viral haemorrhagic fever was declared on 13 February.
What is Marburg virus?
Marburg virus has got global attention after reports of a viral outbreak in Africa came to fore. Marburg disease is also known as Marburg hemorrhagic fever. It causes severe viral haemorrhagic fever in humans. What makes this virus worse for humans is the fact that in case of the infection the fatality rate is around 50%. In the past outbreaks up to 88% fatality rates have been recorded. The deadly virus was first detected in 1967.
What causes Marburg disease?
The disease is caused by Rousettus aegyptiacus, fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family who are believed to be the carriers of the virus.
The Marburg virus belongs to the same family as Ebola virus; both of them belong to the Filoviridae family (filovirus). Hence the diseases caused by both viruses are clinically similar.
What are the symptoms of Marburg disease?
It takes 2 to 21 days from the infection to the onset of symptoms.
The early signs are high fever, severe headache, severe malaise, muscle aches and pains.
On the third day of the infection, the patient is likely to have watery diarrhea, abdominal pain and cramping along with nausea and vomiting. The diarrhea can persist for a week after which the patient shows signs of extreme lethargy like “ghost-like” drawn features, deep-set eyes, and expressionless faces.
Between 5-7 days, there is blood in vomitus and faeces, bleeding from the nose, gums, and vagina.
Other symptoms to take note of
Non-itchy rash, which was typical during an early outbreak of the disease, is also a symptom of Marburg disease.
Sustained high fever and diarrhea is a characteristic of the disease.
The patient is likely to show signs of confusion, irritability, and aggression.
Inflammation of testicles, also known as orchitis, is also seen in many patients.
Blood loss and shock leads to fatal cases between 8-9 days after the onset of symptoms.
How does the Marburg virus spread?
From human to human, the virus spreads through direct contact with contaminated bodily fluids.
"Marburg spreads through human-to-human transmission via direct contact (through broken skin or mucous membranes) with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people, and with surfaces and materials (e.g. bedding, clothing) contaminated with these fluids," the World Health Organisation (WHO) says.
How is it being treated right now?
Currently there are no vaccines to treat the Marburg disease.
The current treatment process includes rehydration with oral or intravenous fluids. Treatment of specific symptoms of the infection helps in improving the rate of survival.
Avoiding close physical contact with Marburg patients, wearing gloves and appropriate personal protective equipment should be worn when taking care of ill patients at home, and regular hand washing can help prevent the disease.