The Marburg virus, a name that echoes through the corridors of medical history, stands as a testament to the relentless battle between humanity and viral outbreaks.
This formidable foe, known for its high fatality rate and rapid transmission, has once again surfaced, prompting global health authorities to raise alarms. As we stand on the precipice of potential calamity, understanding and vigilance become our stalwart defenders against this invisible adversary.
In the wake of recent events, the resurgence of the Marburg virus has sent ripples of concern across continents.
With its ability to inflict severe hemorrhagic fever and a case fatality rate that can soar up to 88%, the urgency to disseminate knowledge and preventive measures has never been more critical. Join us as we delve into the depths of this virulent threat, unraveling its mysteries and arming ourselves with the power of informed action.
Initially, the virus that spread on the African continent was signaled to come from a green monkey type Of African monkey. Later, the Marburg virus was also found in fruit bats of the rousettus aegyptiacus type.
Marburg virus Definition
Marburg virus is a species of virus in the Filoviridae family that causes Marburg disease in humans and animals.
The disease is zoonotic.
The name Marburg comes from the name of a city in Germany.
The virus is called Marburg because in this city, it was first discovered in 1967, found a disease that attacks veterinarians and laboratory technicians who are preparing cell breeds of African green macaques (cercopithecus aethiops).
The cell culture will be used as a medium to produce human polio vaccine.
The green ape was obtained from a forest in Uganda, Africa.
After arriving in Germany, some of the green apes showed symptoms of dengue fever, then died.
After a few days, as many as 25 people working in the laboratory were sick with symptoms of dengue fever.
At about the same time, in Belgrado, Yugoslavia, the same disease occurred in 6 people working in similar laboratories.
Seven of the 31 people (in Germany and Yugoslavia) who contracted Marburg hemorrhagic fever eventually died.
After discovering in Germany and Yugoslavia, Marburg disease was only discovered in Africa, namely in Johannesburg (1975) in 3 people, Uganda (1980), and Congo (1999) in 76 people, 56 of whom died.
Under an electron microscope, the Marburg virus looks like a short thread, sometimes curved at one end forming the number 6 or 9.
Viruses shaped like threads, included in the family Filoviridae (filo = filaments/ threads)
The Marburg virus spread
The spread of this virus is greatest in African regions such as Kenya, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. While those brought to Europe, such as Yugoslavia and Germany come from immigration animals as well as people who travel from endemic regions.
Marburg virus infection process
Rousettus bats store Marburg virus in their saliva, urine, and feces. When a human makes direct contact or consumes contaminated fruit, it can become infected.
Once infected, the Marburg virus can be transmitted from human to human. You can be infected with this virus through direct contact with blood, mucus, organs, or other bodily fluids of an infected person.
In addition, Marburg virus infection can also spread by touch with surfaces that have been contaminated with the bodily fluids of an infected person, such as clothing or a bed.
The ease of this transmission process causes many cases of health workers who are infected while treating Marburg disease patients due to close contact. The incubation period of Marburg virus varies, but generally ranges from 2-21 days.
Marburg Virus Causes
The main cause of this disease is the Marburg virus. This virus is still a family with the virus that causes Ebola. But until now, it is not known how this virus can be transmitted from host animals to humans. In 2 cases in 2008, transmission came from infected bat feces.
After the initial crossing of the virus from the host animal to a human, transmission occurs through person-to-person contact. This can happen in several ways: direct contact with droplets from an infected person, and contact with appliances and other contaminating objects with blood or infectious tissue.
In the case of the 1967 outbreak, patients were infected from green monkeys after coming into direct contact through body fluids or through the monkey’s cell culture in the laboratory.
The spread of the virus between humans can occur in close environments or direct contact, for example, the person caring will be infected from the patient he is treating.
Marburg Virus Symptoms
The virus infects humans with an incubation period of 5-10 days. Usually infected humans will rarely be detected because the symptoms are almost similar to malaria or dengue fever.
However, on the fifth day or after the symptoms will get worse, which is characterized by nausea, vomiting, chest pain to diarrhea and if not treated immediately this virus can cause fatal problems in organs such as liver failure, inflammation of the liver, to death.
Marburg Virus Treatment
No Licensed Treatment: Despite the best efforts of the medical community, there remains no licensed treatment specifically targeting the Marburg virus. However, early intervention with supportive care, including:
- Balancing body fluids and electrolytes
- Maintain oxygen and blood pressure levels
- Replacing lost blood and blood clotting causative factors
- Symptomatic treatment
- Treatment for complications.
Research is ongoing, with various blood products, immune therapies, and drug therapies under development, offering a glimmer of hope in the fight against this formidable pathogen.
Understanding and strengthening your immune system is crucial in the fight against viruses like Marburg, and our dedicated section provides valuable insights.
Marburg Virus Prevention
To date, effective prevention of the Marburg virus has still not been well defined because transmission from wild animals to humans is still being studied further.
However, you can try to prevent this disease by avoiding fruit bats and sick primates in central Africa.
Meanwhile, for the spread between humans can be done by preventing direct contact with people with the Marburg virus disease.
That’s the explanation of the deadly Marburg virus. Always take care when you are in foreign territory.
To learn about other viral infections and how they compare to the Marburg virus, visit our virus category page for a wide range of articles.
FAQ
What is the Marburg virus?
The Marburg virus is a highly infectious pathogen that causes Marburg virus disease, a severe form of hemorrhagic fever with symptoms similar to Ebola.
How is the Marburg virus transmitted?
Transmission occurs through contact with infected bodily fluids, contaminated objects, or exposure to environments inhabited by natural hosts like Rousettus bats.
Bottom Line
The Marburg virus remains a formidable challenge to global health, demanding our unwavering attention and preparedness. As we continue to advance our scientific understanding and develop effective treatments, it is the collective responsibility of individuals and communities to remain vigilant and informed.
Together, we can mitigate the impact of this deadly virus and safeguard the well-being of future generations.
For an in-depth understanding of the Marburg virus and its global impact, the World Health Organization provides comprehensive information and updates.
