Marburg Virus Disease: What to Know.

 The battle against global pandemics over the years has been a hectic one around the world. After a tireless war against the deadly COVID 19 Pandemic recently,  it seems there has been a standstill around the globe with the reemergence of another deadly global pandemic "The Marburg Virus".

BACKGROUND

Marburg virus is a hemorrhagic fever virus of the Filoviridae family of viruses and a member of the species Marburg marburgvirus, genus Marburgvirus. Marburg virus (MARV) causes Marburg virus disease in humans and primates, a form of viral hemorrhagic fever. The virus is considered to be extremely dangerous. The World Health Organization (WHO) rates it as a Risk Group 4 Pathogen.

Experts first found Marburg virus disease (MVD) after two large outbreaks in Germany and Serbia in 1967.Cases in these countries resulted from laboratory work done with infected monkeys imported from Uganda. Later reports of outbreaks and other lone cases emerged throughout Africa.

What Is Marburg Virus Disease?

This virus, formally known as Marburg hemorrhagic fever (MHF), is similar to the Ebola virus. It causes you to quickly develop severe illness and fever, which could lead to shock or death.

What Causes Marburg Virus Disease?

Humans usually get infected with this disease after lengthy exposure to mines or caves where Rousettus bat colonies live. These bats are natural hosts of the Marburg virus.

Marburg virus spreads from person to person through direct contact with an infected person’s blood, organs, secretions, or other bodily fluids. Materials and surfaces (like clothing or bedding) can contain infected fluids, and touching them can also spread the virus.

Transmission can also result from contaminated injection tools or needle-stick injuries. These cases usually cause more intense disease, a quick decline in health, and perhaps a higher death rate.

In addition, burial ceremonies that involve direct contact with the body of someone who had MVD could also lead to transmission. Experts still consider you infectious if your blood contains the virus.

What Are the Symptoms of Marburg Virus Disease?

The incubation period, which refers to the length of time from infection to when you first notice symptoms, can be anywhere from 2 to 21 days.

These symptoms usually begin abruptly:

• High fever
• Severe headaches
• Intense malaise, or general feeling of illness
• Muscle aches and pains
• Severe, watery diarrhea (usually on the third day, lasting until a week after symptoms occur)
• Abdominal pain and cramping (usually on the third day after symptoms occur)
• Nausea and vomiting (usually on the third day after symptoms occur)
• Ghost-like features (deep-set eyes, expressionless face)
• Severe fatigue

 a non-itchy rash appeared between 2 to 7 days after the first symptoms.

You’ll likely develop severe bleeding between 5 to 7 days from the onset of symptoms. Blood may appear in your vomit or stool, or you might bleed from your nose, gums, or vagina. You could also bleed from an IV, or intravenous, port. During this intense period, you might have a high fever that results in confusion, aggression, and irritability.

Orchitis, which is inflammation of one or both testicles, often happens late in the disease (around 15 days after the first symptoms).

In fatal cases, great blood loss and shock usually lead to death around 8 to 9 days after the first symptoms appear.

How Do Doctors Treat Marburg Virus Disease?

There are no vaccines or antiviral treatments approved for MVD. Even though it’s similar to Ebola, the Ebola vaccine won’t work against MVD. But supportive care often boosts survival. This includes rehydration with oral or IV fluids and treatment of specific symptoms.

REFFERENCE: WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (W.H.O.), WIKIPEDIA.

                         

BY: Yaw Indomie