MARBURG VIRUS DISEASE

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Last Updated26/07/2022

Ghana has announced first outbreak of Marburg virus disease after two people died.

It is similar to Ebola in its spread, symptoms and progression, although it is caused by a different virus.
Fruit bats are considered to be the hosts of Marburg virus, although researchers say it does not cause them illness.
It has not spread widely but has case fatality rates ranging from 24-88%.
It can spread through direct contact with blood secretions or other bodily fluids from infected people, contaminated surfaces and materials like bedding or dothing

Severe viral haemorrhagic fever, which interferes with blood's ability to clot.
Incubation period ranges from two to 21 days.
Symptoms begin abruptly with high fever, severe headacheand severe malaise.
Other symptoms: muscle aches, diarrhoea, nausea, lethargy and bleeding through vomit, faeces and from other body parts.
Marburg is not contagious during incubation period.
There's no asymptomatic Marburg.

There are no vaccines or antiviral treatments for disease but hydrating patients and treating their specific symptoms can improve chances of survival.
It can be detected through antibody, antigen and polymerase chain reaction tests.

First detected in 1967, when outbreaks of haemormagic fever occurred simultaneously in laboratories in Marburg and Frankfurt in Germany, and in Belgrade (now in Serbia)
Other cases have since been found in Angola, Congo, Kenya, South Africa and Uganda.
The two cases in Ghana are the only ones reported this year.