What Is the Marburg Virus? A Guide to This Emerging Health Threat

Several African countries, including Tanzania, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa, Guinea, and Kenya, have reported an outbreak of the Marburg virus. Because of the similarities in symptoms, the highly infectious disease is being compared to the Ebola virus. Hundreds have died across the continent from the virus, hence answering the question, “What is the Marburg virus?”

What is The Marburg Virus?

The Marburg virus causes the Marburg Virus disease, which has flu-like symptoms but can be fatal. The symptoms include bleeding, vomiting, muscle pains, and diarrhoea. The virus causes haemorrhage, damaging the blood vessels and leading to fatal bleeding.

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The virus was first discovered in 1967 and is traced to African green monkeys, but it has also been spotted in other animals, such as bats. 

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How Common is the Marburg Virus?

Outbreaks have been reported in different parts of the world, including Marburg, Frankfurt, and Serbia in Europe. In recent years, African countries such as Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. 

The most recent happened started in 2023. Equatorial Guinea reported 16 cases and 12 deaths, and Tanzania reported eight cases and five deaths. In 2012, in Uganda, 23 people got infected, and 15 people died; 227 lost their lives in Angola between 2004 and 2005, and 128 died in the DRC between 1998 and 2000.

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What Are The Symptoms of the Marburg Virus?

The Marburg virus symptoms occur in two phases. The first phase lasts five to seven days, and the second phase starts after three days. The first phase symptoms include:

• Severe headache.
• Fever.
• Sore throat.
• Muscle or joint pain.
• Chills.
• Rash
• Cough.

The symptoms for the next phase include:

• Abdominal or chest pain.
• Vomiting.
• Bleeding from your nose, mouth, eyes or vagina.
• Bloody poop or vomit.
• Diarrohea.
• Unintended weight loss.
• Confusion.
• Dizziness.

According to the WHO, patients who present second-phase symptoms have a ghost-like appearance – expressionless faces, lethargic, and deep eyes. Due to the severity of the symptoms, patients lose a lot of blood, and many die nine days after contracting the illness.

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What Causes the Marburg Virus Disease?

The Marburg Virus is caused by two viruses: the Marburg virus (MARV) and the Ranv virus (RAVV). It results in a hemorrhagic fever that damages the blood vessels, causing severe bleeding. 

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How Do People Get the Marburg Virus?

The Marburg Virus is spread through African green monkeys, pigs, and fruit bats. Additionally, human contact with an infected person is another way of contamination. In all cases, the virus can be spread through body fluids, including:

• Blood.
• Vaginal fluids.
• Pee (urine).
• Human milk.
• Poop (stool).
• Semen.
• Spit (saliva).

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Can the Marburg Virus be Cured?

There is no specific treatment for the virus, but clinical trials are ongoing to establish long-term solutions. That said, doctors may prescribe treatment to alleviate the symptoms of the illness by providing fluids, oxygen, and pain medications. 

How Can You Prevent Marburg?

Affected countries are working to contain the Marburg Virus by monitoring new cases and implementing measures to keep people safe. To avoid contamination, do this:

• When handling someone infected with the virus, wear protective equipment like masks, gloves, and an apron to avoid contact with their fluids. 
• Avoid having sex with infected persons until the virus is confirmed to have been cleared from their bodies. 
• Avoid surfaces and touching places that may have been infected with fluids of infected persons.
• Don’t touch the body of someone who died from Marburg virus, and use protective equipment when handling them.
• If you have traveled to places with a virus outbreak, monitor yourself for symptoms, and get medical help whenever any symptoms present themselves. 

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Can You Survive the Marburg Virus?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), on average, the Marburg Virus kills half of the infected people. Previously, between 24% and 88% of patients died from the virus. 

Conclusion

Due to the outbreaks, people are looking for the answer to the question, “What is the Marburg Virus”? This article has provided answers to some of the most asked questions. The virus is deadly, and most infected persons lose their lives. However, implementing cautionary measures increases your chances of avoiding contamination.

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