Introduction.
As we’re battling the COVID-19 Pandemic for almost 20months now, here comes another re-emerging known virus called Marburg Virus. This virus causes a disease called Marburg Virus Disease (MVD); others called it Marburg Haemorrhagic Fever ( Marburg HF). This disease is highly infectious which means it can spread easily through direct or indirect with infected bodily fluids like urine, saliva, sweat, faeces, vomit, semen, and breast milk. The rate at which people die from this disease ( case fatality rate) varies from 24% to 88% in the past outbreaks. This discussion has becoming necessary due to its re-emergence in Guinea on 2nd August, 2021, and this is considered as the first case of the Ebola-like virus in West Africa.
Brief Background.
The Marburg Virus Disease was discovered in 1967 in the laboratories of Marburg and Frankfurt, all in Germany, hence the name Marburg Virus. This outbreak came about during research work at the laboratories of the above mentioned cities in Germany using African Green Monkeys ( Cercopithecus aethiops) imported from Uganda. Subsequently, the outbreaks gutted Belgrade in Serbia, Angola, Kenya, DR Congo, South Africa and Uganda. In 2008, it was discovered that the disease was associated with African Fruit bats. This was revealed when two cases were confirmed in travellers who visited a cave in Uganda inhabited by the African fruit bats colonies. The Marburg and Ebola viruses are from same family called filovirus. This means that infected person can exhibit similar signs and symptoms of Ebola virus disease until the test confirmed it.
What’s Marburg Virus Disease?
It is a highly viral infectious disease which can be fatal if not detected early , and it’s caused by Marburg Virus.
Natural Host.
The disease is believed to be reserved in African fruit bats ( Rousettus aegyptiacus). It can be deduced that any contact with this African fruit bats can risk you of getting the Marburg Virus Disease.
How does it spread?
It can spread from African fruit bats to human. An infected human can also spread it to follow human through direct contact with bodily fluids like urine, saliva, semen, breast milk, sweat, faeces, vomit. This means that having unsafe sexual practices with infected person can expose you to the disease, infected breastfeeding mothers can give the disease to their child, infected pregnant mothers can transfer the disease to the unborn child. Indirectly, one can get the disease through contact with contaminated surfaces with the bodily fluids.
Incubation Period.
This means the period one is exposed to the Marburg Virus Disease and the start of the disease (where one shows the signs and symptoms). 2-21days before one can exhibit the signs and symptoms of Marburg Virus Disease.
What to see and experienced by patient (Signs and Symptoms).
1. High fever; 38 degree Celsius and above.
2. Severe headaches
4. General body weakness
5. Ghost-like appearance
6. In severe cases; there is bleeding rashes ( haemorrhagic/purpuric rashes), blood in vomitus ( haematesis), blood in sputum (haemoptysis), blood in stool (Malena).
Treatment.
There are no known treatments or vaccines. Treatment is based on symptoms and supportive care like rehydration which help to survive the patient if detected and managed early.
How to define a case of Marburg Virus Disease (Case definition).
A person with sudden onset of fever, General body weakness, severe headaches with no response to anti malaria or antibiotics who may have unexplained bleeding.
Prevention (What to do)
1. Avoid contact with body fluids like urine, saliva, sweat, faeces, vomit, semen and breast milk.
2. Practice hand hygiene like washing hands with soap under running water or rub hands with 60% alcohol based sanitizers.
3. Do not handle items that may have come in contact with an infected persons body fluids.
4. Avoid contact with dead bodies including participating in funeral or burial rituals of suspected or confirmed Marburg Virus Disease cases.
5 Seek medical care immediately if one develops fever, and others like severe headaches, feeling very tired ( fatigue), muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain, or unexplained bleeding or bruising.
6. Abstain from all sexual practices if possible. one can practice safer sexual practices like using condom.
7. Public or private transport should not be used to transport suspected Marburg Virus Disease case but contact district, municipal or regional health directorate of Ghana Health Service for support.
Kindly tell a friend to tell a friend by sharing this message to make the world a better for both of us. Thanks.
Credits;
3. Ghana Health Service (2021): Marburg Virus Disease Alert following confirmed case in Guinea. Press Release dated 11/08/21 with reference number; GHS/DG…11.8.21
Kwasi Omaro 