What do we know about the Marburg virus as a new epidemic emerges

the mortal marburg virus appeared this week for the first time in Equatorial Guineacausing at least nine deaths in the West African country, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

A handful of Marburg cases have been identified in Ghana at the end of last year. Although it remains “a very rare disease in humans”, according to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), but when it appears it has the potential to spread and “can be fatal “. .

Marburg virus disease is a highly contagious viral hemorrhagic fever, according to the CDC. It is transmitted by animals carrying the virus of the family Filovirids, the same family of pathogens as the virus Ebola. These two diseases are rare but have the ability to cause epidemics with high death rates.

Mortality rates for Marburg cases in previous outbreaks have ranged from 24 to 88 percent according to the WHO, depending on the viral strain and the quality of case management. The Marburg virus was probably first transmitted to humans by the african bats fruit from prolonged exposure of people working in mines and caves that harbor bat colonies Rousettus.

It’s not an airborne disease. Instead, it spreads rapidly between humans across the direct contact with bodily fluids from infected people, such as blood, saliva or urine, as well as on surfaces and materials. Family members and healthcare workers remain the most vulnerable with patients, and bodies can remain infectious even during burial.

It was first recognized in 1967, when outbreaks occurred among laboratory workers in Marburg and Frankfurt, Germany and Belgrade, Serbia while conducting research.

Symptoms can start to appear “suddenly”, according to the WHO and include high fever, severe headache, chills and malaise. Muscle aches and cramps are common symptoms. Others may include jaundice, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.

The CDC also noted that around day 5, a non-itchy rash may occur on the chest, back, or stomach. Clinical diagnosis of Marburg can be difficult, according to the agency, with many similar symptoms to other infectious diseases such as malaria, typhoid fever and Ebola.

In fatal cases, death usually occurs 8 to 9 days after illness onset and is usually preceded by severe blood loss and hemorrhage, as well as multiple organ dysfunction. Patients’ appearance can be described as “ghostly”, according to the WHO, with gaunt features, sunken eyes, expressionless faces and extreme lethargy.

There are no approved vaccines or antiviral treatments to treat Marburg virus. Primary care can improve survival rates, such as rehydration with oral or intravenous fluids, maintaining oxygen levels, using drug therapies, and treating specific symptoms as they arise.

Some health experts say drugs similar to those used for Ebola could be effective, but the treatments have not been tested in clinical trials. Raising awareness of its level of contagiousness can also help with prevention and spread, the CDC said, noting that some “experimental treatments” for Marburg virus have been tested in animals but not humans.

Equatorial Guinea confirmed its first outbreak of Marburg virus disease this week. At least 9 people have died and there are 16 suspected cases in the western province of Kie-Ntem, according to the WHO.

“Other investigations are ongoing. Advance teams have been deployed to the affected districts to trace contacts, isolate and provide medical care to those showing symptoms of the disease,” the global health body said in a statement on Monday.

Cases of Marburg have already been reported in other parts of Africa, including Uganda, Ghana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone and South Africa. ANDhe largest epidemic killed more than 350 people in Angola in 2005according to a report from its Ministry of Health.

“The virus is not known to originate from other continents, such as North America,” the CDC said.

The WHO is calling an “urgent meeting” on Tuesday to discuss the recently identified Marburg outbreak in Equatorial Guinea, as well as potential vaccines and therapies.

It will also deploy teams to affected areas and assign experts in epidemiology, case management, infection prevention, laboratory and risk communication to support national response efforts.

“Marburg virus is highly contagious,” said Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “Thanks to the quick and decisive action of the Equatoguinean authorities to confirm the disease, the emergency response can be rapidly accelerated so that we can save lives and stop the virus as soon as possible.”

* By Adela Suliman, writer for The Washington Post

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WHO has confirmed at least nine deaths in Equatorial Guinea following the first outbreak of the Marburg virus