Equatorial Guinea, a small western African country, recently reported the outbreak of Marburg virus disease (MVD), causing severe viral hemorrhagic fever in humans. This disease has claimed the lives of over nine people in the country’s Kie-Ntem province. The MVD, also known as Marburg hemorrhagic fever, is a rare but fatal disease caused by the Marburg virus. It was first identified in Germany in 1967, and since then, sporadic outbreaks have occurred in different African countries.
What is Marburg virus disease?
The Marburg virus disease (MVD) is caused by the Marburg virus, a member of the Filoviridae family. This virus is closely related to the Ebola virus and causes similar symptoms. The disease is characterised by severe viral hemorrhagic fever, including high fever, muscle aches, vomiting, diarrhea, and bleeding from various organs. The disease is usually fatal, with a death rate of up to 88% in some outbreaks.
History of Marburg virus disease outbreaks:
The first outbreak of MVD occurred in 1967 in Germany’s Frankfurt and Marburg, where laboratory workers handling tissues from African green monkeys imported from Uganda contracted the disease. Since then, the disease has been reported in different African countries, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Angola, Kenya, Uganda, and South Africa.
The worst outbreak of MVD occurred in Angola in 2004, where more than 252 people were infected, and over 90% of them died. The recent outbreak in Equatorial Guinea is a significant concern, and the World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed its readiness to support the country in containing the disease.
Transmission and prevention of MVD:
The Marburg virus is transmitted to humans through contact with infected animals, including monkeys, fruit bats, and other animals. Human-to-human transmission can occur through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people, such as blood, vomit, feces, and urine. Prevention of MVD includes avoiding contact with infected animals and their products and practicing good hygiene. Healthcare workers should take appropriate precautions while handling suspected or confirmed cases of MVD, including using personal protective equipment (PPE) and following infection prevention and control measures.
Outbreak response and treatment of MVD:
The response to MVD outbreaks includes prompt identification and reporting of suspected cases, isolation of infected people, and contact tracing of those who may have been exposed. The WHO and other international health organizations provide technical support and resources to countries affected by the disease. There is no specific treatment or vaccine for MVD, and the disease is managed through supportive care, including the management of symptoms and complications. However, early treatment and supportive care can improve the chances of survival.
