In News:

• Definition:
  • Marburg virus is one of the deadliest pathogens known to infect humans, causing severe hemorrhagic fever.
• Current Situation in Rwanda:
  • Rwanda reported its first Marburg case late last month.
  • At least 46 individuals have been infected, with 12 reported deaths.
  • Approximately 80% of infections are among medical workers.
  • The outbreak poses a significant threat to Rwanda’s fragile healthcare system, which has only 1,500 doctors for over 13 million people.

Characteristics of Marburg Virus

• Deadliness:
  • Marburg virus disease (MVD) has case fatality rates ranging from 24% to 88%, depending on the strain and case management.
  • The first outbreak occurred in Marburg, Germany, in 1967, with subsequent outbreaks primarily in Africa.
• Family:
  • Marburg belongs to the filovirus family, which includes Ebola.
  • Both viruses are clinically similar and can cause high-fatality outbreaks.

Transmission

• Initial Infection:
  • Human infections initially occurred through prolonged exposure to mines or caves inhabited by Rousettus bats (notably the Egyptian fruit bat).
• Human-to-Human Transmission:
  • MVD spreads directly through contact with blood and bodily fluids of infected individuals.
  • Indirect transmission can occur via contaminated surfaces and materials (bedding, clothing).
• Risk for Medical Workers:
  • Medical workers treating MVD cases are frequently infected, especially when infection control measures are inadequate.

Symptoms of Marburg Virus Disease (MVD)

• Incubation Period: Symptoms can appear 2 to 21 days after infection.
• Initial Symptoms: High fever, Severe headache, Muscle ache, Watery diarrhea, Abdominal pain and cramping, Vomiting
• Hemorrhagic Symptoms:
  • Many patients develop bleeding from various sites, including the digestive system (fresh blood in feces and vomit), nose, gums, and vagina.
  • Fatalities often occur due to severe blood loss and shock, typically 8 to 9 days after symptom onset.

Prevention and Treatment

• Current Status:
  • No approved vaccines or specific treatments exist for MVD.
• Supportive Care:
  • Rehydration (oral or intravenous fluids) and symptom management improve survival rates.
• Experimental Treatments:
  • Rwanda is seeking experimental vaccines and treatments to address the outbreak.
  • The US-based Sabin Vaccine Institute provided 700 doses of an experimental Marburg vaccine for healthcare professionals on the frontlines.

In News:

Rwanda is currently facing an outbreak of Marburg virus disease (MVD), leading to six fatalities, primarily among healthcare workers.

What is Marburg Virus Disease?

Marburg virus disease is a severe and often fatal illness first identified in 1967 in Germany. It is caused by the Marburg virus, which is primarily transmitted to humans through contact with infected animals, particularly fruit bats.

Current Situation in Rwanda

The ongoing outbreak has claimed six lives, most of whom were healthcare professionals. The Minister of Health has emphasized the need for heightened preventive measures and community vigilance.

Symptoms and Transmission

Common symptoms of MVD include high fever, severe headache, watery diarrhea, abdominal pain, and vomiting. The virus spreads through direct contact with the blood, secretions, and bodily fluids of infected individuals.

Available Treatments and Supportive Care

There is currently no specific treatment for Marburg virus disease. Supportive care, including symptom management and hydration, is critical, and early medical attention is essential for those exhibiting symptoms.

Preventive Measures and Recommendations

To prevent the spread of MVD, individuals should:

• Practice good hygiene.
• Avoid contact with infected persons.
• Ensure thorough cooking of animal products.
• Use protective equipment when caring for sick patients.

Global Context and Pandemic Risk

While Marburg virus disease poses a significant mortality risk and can spread between humans, its pandemic potential is lower than that of more contagious viruses. Rapid containment efforts are essential to prevent wider outbreaks.

Why is it in the News?

The Kitum cave in Mount Elgon National Park, Kenya, is known as the world's deadliest cave which may have some really dangerous viruses inside, like Ebola and Marburg.

What is Marburg Virus Disease (MVD)?

• Marburg virus disease (MVD), formerly known as Marburg hemorrhagic fever, is a severe, often fatal illness in humans.
• It affects both people and non-human primates.
• Marburg and Ebola viruses are both members of the Filoviridae family (filovirus).
• Though caused by different viruses, the two diseases are clinically similar.
  • Both diseases are rare and can cause outbreaks with high fatality rates.
  • The average MVD case fatality rate is around 50%.
• Rousettus aegyptiacus, fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family, are considered to be natural hosts of the Marburg virus.

Transmission:

• Human infection with MVD typically occurs after prolonged exposure to Rousettus bats inhabiting mines or caves.
• The virus can then spread through human-to-human transmission via direct contact with infected bodily fluids, contaminated materials, or broken skin and mucous membranes.

Symptoms:

• After an incubation period of 2-21 days, symptoms arise abruptly, including fever, chills, headache, and muscle pain.
• A maculopapular rash may appear around day five, most visible on the chest, back, and stomach.
• Other symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, chest pain, sore throat, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, can manifest, with severity increasing to potentially include jaundice, organ dysfunction, severe weight loss, delirium, and massive hemorrhaging.
• The average MVD case fatality rate is around 50%, varying between 24% and 88% in past outbreaks.

Treatment:

• There is currently no specific treatment for MVD, but early supportive care involving rehydration and symptom management improves survival rates.

Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers (VHFs):

• Viral Hemorrhagic Fever (VHFs) is a group of diseases caused by several distinct families of viruses that affect multiple organ systems in the body.
• These illnesses range from mild to severe and life-threatening, with many having no known cure or vaccine.
• VHFs negatively impact the cardiovascular system and reduce overall bodily function.