Marburg virus disease (MVD) is a rare but severe haemorrhagic fever. It is caused by the Marburg virus, an RNA virus of the filovirus family. Marburg and Ebola viruses are both members of the Filoviridae family (filovirus). Though caused by different viruses, the two diseases are similar and have the capacity to cause outbreaks with high fatality rates.
Incubation period: 2-21 days
Signs and Symptoms:
- Sudden onset of fever
- Chills
- Headaches
- Myalgia
- Maculopapular rash (chest, back, stomach)
- Nausea & Vomiting
- Chest Pain
- Sore Throat
- Abdominal Pain
- Diarrhoea
Severe symptoms
- Jaundice
- Inflammation of pancreas
- Severe weigh loss
- Delirium
- Shock
- Liver Failure
- Massive Haemorrhage
- Multi-organ dysfunction
Mode of Transmission:
Fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family, are natural hosts of Marburg virus. The Marburg virus is transmitted to people from fruit bats and spreads among humans through human-to-human transmission. After this initial crossover of virus from host animal to people, transmission occurs through person-to-person contact. The virus spreads through direct contact (such as through broken skin or mucous membranes in the eyes, nose, or mouth) with:
Blood or body fluids of infected people, objects contaminated with body fluids from a person who is sick with or has died from Marburg virus disease (such as clothes, bedding, needles, and medical equipment).
Spread of the virus between people has occurred in close environments and among direct contacts. A common example is through caregivers in the home or in a hospital.
Diagnosis
Antigen or virus detection can be used to confirm a case of MVD within a few days of symptom onset.
Management
There is no specific medication for treatment of Marburg virus disease. Supportive hospital therapy should be utilized, which includes balancing the patient’s fluids and electrolytes, maintaining oxygen status and blood pressure, replacing lost blood and clotting factors, and treatment for any complicating infections.
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