Starting with the recent news of the detection of West Africa’s first case of the Marburg virus in Guinea, it is significant to note that the case was identified only two months after the country was declared free from Ebola. The Marburg case, along with this year’s Ebola cases, were found in the Gueckedou district of Guinea. This area also happens to be the origin region of the 2014-2016 Ebola epidemic, the largest in history.
About the Marburg Virus
Marburg virus disease is a profoundly virulent one that leads to haemorrhagic fever, and it is carried by bats. Its lethality ratio can reach up to a staggering 88%. It comes from the same family as the virus causing Ebola. The disease was first recognized following two large outbreaks that happened concurrently in Marburg and Frankfurt in Germany, and Belgrade, Serbia, in 1967. These outbreaks were linked with laboratory work involving African green monkeys imported from Uganda. Since these initial occurrences, outbreaks and sporadic cases have been documented in Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, South Africa, and Uganda. There have been a total of 12 major outbreaks of Marburg since 1967, primarily in southern and eastern Africa.
Human Infection
Initial infection of humans by the Marburg virus often arises from prolonged exposure to mines or caves inhabited by Rousettus bat colonies. The genus Rousettus comprises Old World fruit bats or megabats, also known as dog-faced fruit bats or flying foxes.
Transmission
Following the initial infection, the Marburg virus can spread through direct contact. It can occur through broken skin or mucous membranes, blood, secretions, organs or bodily fluids of infected individuals, and surfaces and materials like bedding and clothing contaminated with infected fluids.
Symptoms
Marburg virus disease exhibits symptoms such as headaches, vomiting blood, muscle pains, and bleeding through various orifices. The severity of symptoms increases as the disease progresses, which can lead to jaundice, pancreatic inflammation, severe weight loss, liver failure, massive hemorrhaging, and multi-organ dysfunction.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing the Marburg virus disease can be challenging since many symptoms resemble those of malaria and typhoid fever. However, diagnostic tools like Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) can be utilized for confirmation.
Treatment
Regrettably, there is no specific treatment or approved vaccine available for treating Marburg hemorrhagic fever. Supportive hospital therapy is often recommended, which includes balancing the patient’s fluids and electrolytes, maintaining oxygen status and blood pressure, replacing lost blood and clotting factors, and treating any occurring infections.
