WHO Has Confirmed An Outbreak Of The Marburg Virus Disease. Here Are The Symptoms, Causes, And Treatments
According to a WHO official on Tuesday, the World Health Organization is stepping up epidemiological surveillance in Equatorial Guinea after confirming its first Marburg virus outbreak.
According to the WHO, the small Central African country has reported nine deaths and 16 suspected cases of Marburg virus disease, with symptoms including fever, fatigue, and blood-stained vomit and diarrhea.
“Marburg is extremely contagious. “Thanks to the Equatorial Guinean authorities’ quick and decisive action in confirming the disease, emergency response can get up and running quickly so that we can save lives and stop the virus as soon as possible,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa.
WHO presents everything you need to know about Marburg disease.
What exactly is Marburg disease?
Marburg virus is the causative agent of Marburg virus disease (MVD), a disease with a case-fatality ratio of up to 88%. However, this can be significantly reduced with good patient care. Marburg virus disease was first identified in 1967, following simultaneous outbreaks in Marburg, Frankfurt, and Belgrade, Germany, as well as Belgrade, Serbia.
Hemorrhagic fever is a symptom of the extremely virulent Marburg virus disease, which has a fatality rate of up to 88 percent. It is a member of the same pathogen family as the Ebola virus.
Marburg disease symptoms
The Marburg virus causes sudden onset illness characterized by a high fever, excruciating headaches, and severe malaise. Within seven days, many patients experience severe hemorrhagic symptoms.
How is the Marburg disease transmitted?
Similar to how Ebola spreads among people, the Marburg virus also originates in bats and infects people when they come into contact with infected bodily fluids, objects, surfaces, or materials. In 1967, a rare virus was first discovered.
Is Marburg disease preventable or treatable?
The virus cannot be treated with any approved vaccines or antiviral medications. Survival is improved by supportive care, such as rehydration with oral or intravenous fluids and treatment of particular symptoms.
According to the health agency, various potential treatments, such as blood products, immune therapies, drug therapies, and candidate vaccines with phase 1 data, are being considered.
According to Ameh, “We’re working on a 30-day response plan where we should be able to quantify the exact measures and needs.” He further stated that the nation’s authorities had reported no new suspected cases in the previous 48 hours.
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