- Marburg virus: what is it?
- Marburg virus: what are the symptoms?
- How is the Marburg virus transmitted?
- Is there a treatment for the virus?
After Guinea, Equatorial Guinea and Ghana, it is the turn of Tanzania to be affected by the mysterious Marburg virus, a cousin of Ebola, which causes a virulent hemorrhagic fever. Five people have already died, but the health authorities are nevertheless calling for calm. “The results confirmed that the disease was caused by the Marburg virus“said Ummy Mwalimu, Tanzanian Minister of Health.”The government has managed to contain the spread of the disease“, she also says. Three patients are currently hospitalized and 161 people considered contact cases are under surveillance. “The efforts made by the health authorities in Tanzania to establish the cause of the disease is a clear indication of the determination to respond effectively to the epidemic,” said WHO in a statement. communicated.
#Tanzania has confirmed its first-ever cases of #Marburg virus disease.
Here’s everything you need to know about what it is, its symptoms, and how it spreads #ViralFactsAfrica@viralfactspic.twitter.com/qV1tDQ8to5
— WHO African Region (@WHOAFRO) March 22, 2023
At the same time, the death toll has increased in Equatorial Guineawhere the first deaths occurred at the beginning of January: the Marburg virus has now claimed 20 lives in the country, including six more deaths in ten days in the city of Malabo. This rapid increase in deaths”suggests wider transmission of the virus” according to the WHO, which asks the country to “intensify response efforts in order to (…) avoid a large-scale epidemic and loss of lifeAccording to the local government, eight cases and six deaths were confirmed between March 11 and March 20, bringing the toll to 20 probable cases and 20 deaths.
Marburg virus: what is it?
There Marburg virus disease is a serious, often fatal disease in humans causing very virulent hemorrhagic fever. First discovered in Germany in 1967, it belongs to the same family as the Ebola virus, the filoviridae family. These two viruses are rare, but both have the ability to cause disease outbreaks with a high case fatality rate.
This disease has already affected Africa: Angola, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo or even Kenya and South Africa have already had to fight against epidemics.
Marburg virus: what are the symptoms?
“The disease begins suddenly, with high fever, intense headaches and possible malaise. Case fatality rates have ranged from 24% to 88% in previous outbreaks, depending on virus strain and case management“, underlines the WHO.
Other symptoms can be:
- Profuse watery diarrhea;
- Abdominal pain and cramps;
- Nausea and vomiting;
- Hemorrhagic manifestations: blood in vomit or stool, or bleeding from the nose, gums or vagina;
Patients are often described as “ghosts” with sunken eyes, expressionless faces and extreme lethargy. The nervous system can also be affected.
“In fatal cases, death occurs 8 to 9 days after the onset of symptoms and is usually preceded by profuse blood loss and shock.continues the WHO.
How is the Marburg virus transmitted?
Like Covid-19 or monkeypox, the Marburg virus is originally a zoonosis, an infectious disease capable of being transmitted from animals to humans. In this case, it comes from fruit bats and is transmitted between men via direct contact (through scratches or mucous membranes) with bodily fluids (blood, secretions, organs, etc.), like Ebola.
Contaminated surfaces and materials can also transmit the disease. Infected people remain contagious as long as the virus remains in their blood.
Is there a treatment for the virus?
There is, for the time being, no antiviral treatment, no vaccine, no approved remedy to combat Marburg disease. Some options can improve the chances of survival: very rapid care, oral or intravenous rehydration and treatment in response to the patient’s symptoms.
“Currently, a range of potential treatments including blood products, immune therapies and drug treatments are being evaluated.“, nevertheless specifies the WHO.
Source :
- Marburg virus diseaseWorld Health Organization, August 7, 2021
