Outbreak
Of Marburg Virus In Equatorial Guinea; 9 Killed So Far
For
the first time, the World Health Organization confirmed a Marburg virus
outbreak in Equatorial Guinea.
According
to this organization, 9 people have died as a result of this virus infection,
and 16 other suspected cases have been identified with symptoms such as fever,
extreme fatigue, diarrhea, and vomiting.
Last
week, laboratory samples sent from Equatorial Guinea to a laboratory in Senegal
confirmed health officials’ concerns about the virus’s spread.
The
Marburg virus is a virus that causes hemorrhagic or bleeding fever. It is a
severe and contagious type of fever caused by the filovirus family.
The
filovirus family includes this virus and four other ebolaviruses.
Humans
and other primates can be infected with Marburg hemorrhagic fever. The virus
was discovered in 1967 after some laboratory workers in Marburg were exposed to
African green monkey tissues.
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Symptoms Of Marburg Virus
This
virus exhibits a wide range of symptoms. The following are some of the Marburg
virus’s symptoms:
- Vomiting
- Chest
pain - Diarrhea
- Shock
- Delirium
- High fever
- Prolonged chills
- Severe headache
- Myalgia
- Nausea
- A
sore throat - Jaundice
- Abdominal
pain - Pancreas
inflammation - Massive
hemorrhaging - Severe
weight loss - Maculopapular
rash and trunk rash
This
virus can also cause muscle pain, hypovolemic shock, hemorrhage, multi-organ
dysfunction, and other symptoms.
Causes Of Marburg Virus
The
main cause of this virus is infectious agent transmission from one person to
another via the following modes:
- Saliva
- Air
- Cough
- Fecal-oral
route - Surface
- Blood
transfusions - Used
needles - Sexual
contact - Mother
to fetus - Exposure
to the infected person
Other
sources of infection include primates, working in an animal laboratory, and
animal quarantine.
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Diagnosis Of Marburg Virus
The
following are some of the tests and methods of diagnosis used:
- Virus
isolation examination - ELISA
test for IgG capture - Immunohistochemistry
- Polymerase
chain reaction analysis (PCR) - Testing
for antigen-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA)
The
disease can also be diagnosed using a PCR test on blood and tissue samples from
an infected patient.
Treatments For Marburg Virus
- Some
of the treatments are as follows: - Keeping
the patient’s body fluids and electrolytes in check - Keeping
the patient’s oxygen levels and blood pressure stable - Treatments
for blood clotting Replacement of lost blood - Fresh-frozen
plasma infusion
Heparin
may also be used to prevent the consumption of clotting factors as part of the
treatment.
Complications Of Marburg Virus
- Some
of the complications are as follows: - Dysfunction
of multiple organs - Failure
of the liver - Pancreatic
inflammation - Hepatitis
- Inflammation
of the parotid gland - Myelitis
of the transverse forearm - Uvetis
Chronic
hepatitis, eye inflammation, spinal cord inflammation, and orchitis are all
possible complications. This virus is a serious disease that can even result in
death. To avoid secondary transmission of this disease, proper precautions
should be taken.
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Marburg
virus is typically transmitted by African green monkeys. If left untreated, the
disease causes severe hemorrhagic fever, which can lead to death. You should
exercise caution while suffering from such a disease.
FAQs Related To Outbreak Of Marburg Virus In
Equatorial Guinea
Is the Marburg virus still around?
After
nearly 18 years, two cases of Marburg virus disease were identified in Ghana’s
Ashanti region in July 2022. Ghana is infected with the Marburg virus.
The
risk of this 2022 outbreak spreading is high at the national level but low at
the global level, according to WHO. Ghana is infected with the Marburg virus.
Can you survive the Marburg virus?
Many
of the symptoms of MVD are similar to those of other infectious diseases (such
as malaria or typhoid fever) or viral hemorrhagic fevers that may be prevalent
in the area (such as Lassa fever or Ebola).
This
is especially true if there is only one case involved. The case-fatality rate
for MVD ranges from 23 to 90%.
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How do you get the Marburg virus?
The
virus spreads through contact (such as broken skin or mucous membranes in the
eyes, nose, or mouth) with Blood or body fluids (urine, saliva, sweat, feces,
vomit, breast milk, amniotic fluid, and semen) of a person who has Marburg
virus disease or has died from it.
What happens when you get the Marburg virus?
The
Marburg virus is transmitted to humans by fruit bats and spreads via
human-to-human transmission. In humans, it causes severe viral hemorrhagic
fever. Marburg hemorrhagic fever has a case-fatality rate ranging from 23 to
90%.
Who is most at risk for Marburg?
Historically,
the people most at risk have been family members and hospital staff caring for
Marburg virus-infected patients who have not used proper infection prevention
and control measures.
How do you survive in Marburg?
Survival
is improved by supportive care, such as rehydration with oral or intravenous
fluids and treatment of specific symptoms. There is currently no proven
treatment for Marburg virus disease.
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Does Marburg spread through the air?
MVD
is not an airborne disease and is not considered contagious until symptoms
appear.
How do you prevent Marburg from spreading?
Wearing
protective gowns, gloves, and masks; isolating the infected individual; and
sterilizing or properly disposing of needles, equipment, and patient excretions
are all examples of precautions.
What does Marburg do to humans?
Marburg
virus disease is a serious infection that causes hemorrhagic fever in both
humans and animals. Diseases that cause hemorrhagic fevers, such as Marburg,
are frequently fatal because they affect the vascular system of the body (how
blood moves through the body). This can result in severe internal bleeding and
organ failure.
Is Marburg curable?
Marburg
virus disease has no specific treatment. Supportive hospital therapy, such as
balancing the patient’s fluids and electrolytes, maintaining oxygen status and
blood pressure, replacing lost blood and clotting factors, and treating any
complicating infections, should be used.
Is Marburg or Ebola worse?
The
Marburg and Ebola viruses are both filamentous filoviruses that cause
clinically similar diseases characterized by hemorrhagic fevers and capillary
leakage. The Ebola virus is slightly more dangerous than the Marburg virus.
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Where is Marburg found?
MVD
is found in sporadic outbreaks across Sub-Saharan Africa. Many previous
outbreaks began with male mine workers working in bat-infested mines. The virus
then spread within their communities via cultural practices, families, and
healthcare workers.
Is there a vaccine for Marburg?
The
vaccine, developed by researchers at the National Institute of Allergy and
Infectious Diseases (NIAID), a branch of the National Institutes of Health,
could one day be a valuable tool in responding to Marburg virus outbreaks.
