Marburg virus

Current Context : Recently, Rwanda, a landlocked country in central Africa, declared an outbreak of Marburg virus.

ABOUT MARBURG VIRUS

• Marburg virus causes a severe, often fatal hemorrhagic fever similar to Ebola.
• Discovery and Origin: First identified in 1967 during outbreaks in Marburg and Frankfurt, Germany, and Belgrade, Serbia. The virus was linked to laboratory workers exposed to infected monkeys from Uganda.
• The Rousettus aegyptiacus (Egyptian fruit bat) is believed to be the natural reservoir of the Marburg virus, which is then transmitted to humans.

TRANSMISSION:

• Human-to-human transmission occurs via direct contact with blood, body fluids (such as saliva, sweat, urine), or tissues of infected individuals.
• Contaminated surfaces or materials (e.g., bedding, clothing) can also spread the virus.
• Symptoms : High fever, severe headache, and general malaise.
• Mortality Rate: MVD has a high fatality rate, ranging from 24% to 88%, depending on the virus strain and case management.
• Treatment: Currently, there is no specific antiviral treatment or vaccine available. Supportive care, including rehydration and treatment of symptoms, improves survival chances.
• Recent Outbreak: In 2023, an outbreak of Marburg virus disease (MVD) occurred in Equatorial Guinea, raising global health concerns.