Marburg Virus Tips: How Worried Should You Be Of The Potentially Fatal Virus
Marburg Virus Tips:
The Marburg virus is the causative agent of Marburg virus disease (MVD), a disease with a case-fatality ratio of up to 88%. Marburg virus disease is rare and capable of causing outbreaks with high mortality rates.
Transmission of Marburg Virus
Initially, human infections by MVD were the result of prolonged exposure to mines or caves.
The first outbreak of the Marburg virus was recorded in Germany in 1967 when a laboratory worker in the city of Marburg contracted the disease from a monkey. Since then outbreaks have mostly been detected in East or Southern Africa.
Marburg spreads through human-to-human transmission through direct contact. This contact can occur either through broken skin or mucous membranes through blood, secretions, organs, or other bodily fluids of infected individuals. It can also be transmitted from surfaces and materials such as bedding or clothing that are contaminated with this liquid.
For the same reason, healthcare workers are often infected with this virus while treating patients with suspected or confirmed MVD. Close contact with an infectious person spreads when precautions are not strictly practiced. Infection occurs through contaminated injection equipment or needle sticks, which in turn leads to rapid deterioration, and possibly, high mortality.
For the same reason, healthcare workers are often infected with this virus while treating patients with suspected or confirmed MVD. Close contact with an infectious person spreads when precautions are not strictly practiced. Infection occurs through contaminated injection equipment or needle sticks, which in turn leads to rapid deterioration, and possibly, high mortality.
Symptoms of Marburg Virus
The incubation period of Marburg virus disease varies from two to 21 days. The illness usually begins suddenly, with high fever, severe headache, and malaise, accompanied by muscle aches and pains. Some other common ailments associated with the virus are severe diarrhea, abdominal pain, cramping, and nausea. Most people feel nauseous even on the third day. Additionally, diarrhea can last for a week or in some cases 10 days.
Diagnosis of Marburg Virus
Differentiating MVD clinically from other infectious diseases such as malaria, typhoid fever, shigellosis, meningitis, and viral hemorrhagic fever can be a bit difficult. Confirmation that symptoms are caused by Marburg virus infection is done using any of the following diagnostic methods:
- Antibody-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)
- RT-PCR test
- Electron scanning
- Serum neutralization test
- Virus isolation by cell culture
- Antigen-capture detection
Unfortunately, there is currently no approved vaccine or antiviral treatment for MVD. However, supportive care, including rehydration with oral or intravenous fluids and treatment of specific symptoms, improves the survival rate of people infected with the virus.
