WHO Confirms first-ever outbreak of Marburg virus in Ghana, Know everything about Marburg

Recently, Ghana has reported its first two cases of Marburg viral infection. The infection has severe symptoms and can lead to fatal complications and can even lead to death. It is important to note that both the cases of Marburg reported in Ghana died due to the viral infection. The samples of both the patients were sent to the Institute Pasteur in Dakar, Senegal for the testing of the Marburg virus. Later, the World Health Organisation’s (WHO’s) collaborating centre laboratory also confirmed that the patients were infected from Marburg virus. Now, the process of contact tracing has been initiated to stop the spread of virus as soon as possible. Thus, more than 90 people have been kept in quarantine who came in contact with the infected person including the healthcare professionals who were treating the patients.

The Marburg viral infection is fatal and can lead to serious health complications. With what happened in COVID-19 viral pandemic, early diagnosis, treatment and prevention from any viral infection should be encouraged. Therefore, make sure you visit a doctor as soon as possible if you notice any of the symptoms of Marburg viral infection. Early diagnosis can make the treatment and spread of Marburg virus possible. It will also play a key role in avoiding another pandemic and safeguard our families from the risk.

With the emergence of Marburg viral infection, let us explore more about this virus and its infection.

 

What is the Marburg virus?

The Marburg virus disease (MVD) is caused by Marburg virus. Marburg virus and ebola virus belong to the same family of viruses. The case fatality ratio of marburg virus is around 88%, which is a shockingly high number. Good quality patient care and effective preventive measures can help in reducing the fatality ratio. The first outbreaks of marburg viral infection were reported in 1967 in Marburg and Frankfurt, Germany and Belgrade, Serbia. 

How is Marburg virus transmitted?

The initial transmission of Marburg virus occurred due to exposure to viruses in mines and caves that were initially inhabited by bats. Just like other viral infections, Marburg virus can also transmit from one person to another through contact. Ways by which human-to-human transmission of the Marburg virus can occur include:

• Exposure of Mucous membrane
• Contamination of Broken skin
• Organs and other bodily fluids like secretions and blood
• Use of contaminated injection
• Coming in contact with surfaces and materials contaminated with the virus.
• Burial ceremonies involve direct contact with the body.

What are the symptoms of Marburg Viral infection?

The incubation period of Marburg viral infection ranges from 2 to 21 days, that is, it takes around 21 days for the symptoms of the infection to present in your body after you have been infected with the virus. The major signs and symptoms of Marburg virus disease are:

• Severe headache
• Fever
• Muscle pain
• Severe malaise
• Abdominal pain and cramps
• Watery diarrhoea
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Expressionless face with deep-set eyes
• Lethargy
• Non-itchy rashes
• Bleeding may also occur in severe cases
• Presence of blood in faeces and vomiting
• Severe stages of infection can involve the central nervous system causing irritation, confusion, and aggression. 
• Inflammation of the testes (orchitis)

How is Marburg viral infection diagnosed?

Various diagnostic tests are used to confirm the infection of Marburg virus in patients. Since handling the samples can be risky, these tests must be conducted under maximum biological containment conditions. These diagnostic tests include:

• Antigen-capture detection tests
• Antibody-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)
• Electron microscopy
• Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction assay (RT-PCR)
• Serum neutralisation test
• Virus isolation by cell culture

How is Marburg viral infection treated?

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), there is currently no treatment approved to be used in case of Marburg virus infection. Thus, supportive care is the only treatment option available in case of infection. The current treatment includes replenishing the lost fluids from your body orally and intravenously and treating the specific symptoms of the infection. The antivirals like remde sivir and favipiravir that are used for Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) can be used for the treatment of Marburg viral infection as well.

How can Marburg viral infection be prevented?

Following some of the safety guidelines and precautions can help in preventing the Marburg viral infection. These preventive measures include:

• Wear gloves and masks while visiting the mines and caves that were initially inhabited by bat colonies.
• Keep distance from people infected with the viral infection to prevent its spread.
• Spread awareness about the virus and the guidelines released for its prevention
•  Safe and dignified burial of the infected virus must be carried out.
• Isolation of the infected people from the healthy individuals
• Maintain good hygiene and a clean environment.
• Reduce the risk of transmission of the virus through sexual contact

Takeaway

Marburg viral infection is a serious, rapidly spreading, and life-threatening health concern. It has a high mortality rate just like ebola virus infection. Thus, it is very important to know all about the infection so that its spread can be confined. Now that you know about the virus, the transmission of its infection, its symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, you can analyse your condition better and get it diagnosed at an earlier stage so that its efficient treatment is possible.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Are Ebola and Marburg virus the same?

No, Marburg and Ebola virus belongs to the same family of viruses, but they are distinct from each other and are responsible for different diseases.

• How fatal is Marburg virus?

The case-mortality rate of Marburg virus ranges between 23-90%. On average, the fatality of Marburg virus is around 88%.

• What is the incubation period for Marburg virus?

The incubation period of Marburg virus ranges from 2 - 21 days.