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Mahesh

08/10/24 09:55 AM IST

Marburg virus

In News
  • The deadly Marburg virus could overwhelm Rwanda’s fragile healthcare system.
  • Since the east African country reported the first Marburg case late last month, at least 46 individuals have been infected and 12 Marburg deaths reported.
Marburg Virus
  • Marburg is among the deadliest pathogens known to humans, with Marburg virus disease (MVD) case fatality rates ranging from 24% to 88% in past outbreaks, depending on virus strain and case management.
  • The first outbreak occurred in Marburg, Germany, in 1967.
  • Since then, subsequent outbreaks have been mostly reported across Africa.
  • Marburg belongs to the filovirus family, like Ebola. Both pathogens are clinically similar, and although rare, can cause outbreaks with high fatality rates.
  • Initially, human MVD infections were caused by prolonged exposure to mines or caves inhabited by colonies of Rousettus bats, most notably the Egyptian fruit bat.
  • However, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), Marburg also spreads through human-to-human transition both directly (through contact with blood and other bodily fluids of infected people) and indirectly (through surfaces and materials like bedding, clothing, etc. contaminated with these fluids).
  • Medical workers treating confirmed or suspected MVD cases have been frequently infected in outbreaks, especially when infection control and precautions are lax.
Symptoms
  • The interval between infection and onset of symptoms varies from 2 to 21 days.
  • Initial symptoms, according to the WHO, include high fever, severe headache, muscle ache, severe watery diarrhoea, abdominal pain and cramping, and vomiting.
  • Many patients develop haemorrhagic symptoms (bleeding), often in many places including the digestive system (faeces and vomit often come with fresh blood), the nose, gums, and vagina.
  • Haemmorage leads to most MVD fatalities, with death in fatal cases occurring 8 to 9 days after the onset of symptoms, usually of severe blood loss and shock.
Prevention
  • Currently, there are no approved vaccines or specific treatments for MVD.
  • However, according to WHO, supportive care — rehydration with oral or intravenous fluids — and treatment of specific symptoms, improves survival.
  • The US-based Sabin Vaccine Institute has provided Rwanda with 700 doses of its experimental Marburg vaccine, which will be administered to healthcare professionals at the frontlines.
Source- Indian Express

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