WHO Confirmed Outbreak Of Marburg Virus Disease(MVD) In Guinea

WHO Confirmed Outbreak Of Marburg Virus Disease(MVD) In Guinea

In This Article, ”WHO Confirmed Outbreak Of Marburg Virus Disease(MVD) In Guinea”, we will discuss about Brief History of Marburg Virus Disease(MVD), MVD’s Relation With Ebola, How Deadly MVD Is? Symptoms? Treatment?, etc.

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Marburg Virus Disease(MVD) In News?

• On February 15, 2023, the WHO confirmed deadly Marburg Disease Outbreak or MVD, which is similar to Ebola.
• This confirmation by WHO came after central African nation Equatorial Guinea confirmed its first outbreak.

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About Marburg Virus Disease(MVD)

What Is MVD

Marburg virus disease (MVD) is a severe illness that causes viral haemorrhagic fever in humans (it was formerly known as Marburg haemorrhagic fever).

Brief History of MVD

• The Marburg virus disease (MVD) was first identified after simultaneous outbreaks in Frankfurt and Marburg, Germany — from where it derives its name — and Belgrade, Serbia in 1967.
• Those first infected were exposed to Ugandan imported African green monkeys. More than 30 fell ill, and seven deaths were reported.
• Since then, cases have been reported in Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, South Africa and Uganda.

Very High Mortality Rate:

In a 2004 outbreak in Angola, MVD killed 90% of the 252 infected. Last July, there were two reported MVD deaths in Ghana.

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How MVD Is Related To Ebola?

Both the Marburg and Ebola viruses belong to the Filoviridae family and the diseases caused by the two present clinical similarities.

• Like Ebola, the Marburg virus is transmitted to primates from bats which are considered natural hosts of the virus.
• Fruit bats infected with the virus do not show obvious signs of illness, but it can cause serious illness or death in humans.
• It spreads among humans via direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected bats, or surfaces contaminated with fluids, like bedsheets and clothes.
• The disease can also spread during burial ceremonies if there is direct contact with the body of the deceased.

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How Deadly MVD Is?

Incubation Period

The MVD virus takes between two and 21 days to incubate.

Fatality Rate

As per WHO, the disease has an average fatality rate of 50%, which has varied from 24% to 88% in past outbreaks.

Symptoms

• A person infected with the virus experiences sudden illness with symptoms like high fever, severe headache and discomfort.
• Many develop severe haemorrhagic signs within seven days, as per the CDC.
• Muscle aches and pains are a common feature.
• Severe watery diarrhoea, abdominal pain and cramping, nausea and vomiting can begin on the third day. Diarrhoea can persist for a week.
• The appearance of patients at this phase has been described as showing “ghost-like” drawn features, deep-set eyes, expressionless faces, and extreme lethargy.
• During the severe phase of the illness, patients sustain high fevers.
• Involvement of the central nervous system can result in confusion, irritability, and aggression.
• In fatal cases, death often occurs eight or nine days after the onset of symptoms, usually preceded by severe blood loss and shock.

Any Vaccines?

• As of now, there are no authorised vaccines or drugs to treat the Marburg virus disease.
• The WHO, however, says that rehydration with oral or intravenous fluids and treatment of specific symptoms can improve chances of survival.

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