Ebola-Like Marburg Virus: This Deadly Virus Can Lead To Extreme Blood Loss And Kill You In Hours
Marburg Virus Outbreak: At a time when the world was slowly recovering from the experiences of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic, the news of another virus spreading rapidly across the countries has left health officials worried. In the last few days, some parts of the world have witnessed a sharp rise in the cases of highly virulent and dangerous Ebola-like Marburg virus. In the latest updates, Rwanda's Health Minister, Sabin Nsanzimana, revealed that six people have died following an outbreak of the Marburg virus. Currently, there are over 26 active cases associated with the virus.
In its latest report, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has stated that cases of the Ebola-like Marburg virus have been reported in seven of the country's 30 districts. Twenty cases are in isolation and receiving treatment, while 161 people who came into contact with the reported cases have so far been identified and are being monitored as the authorities ramp up comprehensive response measures and deepen investigation to determine the origin of the infection.
While authorities are taking stringent actions to contain the spread of the Marburg virus disease, experts have warned that this virus could trigger the next pandemic if proper precautions are not followed.
Marburg virus is a highly contagious and often fatal viral hemorrhagic fever, with a fatality ratio of up to 88%. It is closely related to the Ebola virus and belongs to the Filoviridae family. The virus is named after the German city of Marburg, where it was first identified in 1967. Since then, the virus has caused deadly outbreaks in Marburg, Frankfurt, Germany, Belgaria, Serbia.
As per WHO, the virus is transmitted to people from fruit bats and spreads among humans through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people, surfaces and materials.
According to the studies, the suspected host of the Marburg virus is the African fruit bat, carrying the pathogen without showing symptoms. The virus transmission can occur from bats to primates, including humans and then spread through direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of infected individuals. Scroll down to know what happens after the virus enters your body.
After contracting the virus, within 6-7 days, patients carrying the Marburg virus may experience these common signs and symptoms:
Illness caused by Marburg virus begins abruptly, with high fever, severe headache and severe malaise. Many patients develop severe haemorrhagic symptoms within seven days.
According to the WHO, "The appearance of patients at this phase has been described as showing 'ghost-like' drawn features, deep-set eyes, expressionless faces and extreme lethargy."
Extreme blood loss and shock can result in death within eight to nine days after symptoms appear.
"There is currently no specific treatment for Marburg virus infection" - WHO.
As per experts, since the world doesn't have vaccines for the virus yet, the only way to contain the spread of this virus is by following control measures. Health authorities recommend:
Talking about the risk of this virus entering and causing a new outbreak in India, Dr Sushila Kataria, Director, of Internal Medicine, Medanta, Gurugram said, "The virus has already been contained, so there is no need for Indians to worry. Additionally, if strict precautions to control infections are taken and followed, then the spread can be controlled. The disease's spread is limited because 30-80 per cent of those infected die. The virus can spread through bats, their urine, and/or their excretions. It can also spread through direct contact with infected people's blood, secretions, organs, or other bodily fluids, as well as through contaminated surfaces and materials. Fortunately, it doesn't spread through the air, restricting its spread."
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