What are viruses – These are microscopic acellular parasites which are composed of nucleoproteins, or nucleic acid and proteins, representing the link between living and non-living organisms. While present inside the body, increase their progeny and remain outside the body for a long time in a lifeless form. Viruses like Corona, HIV, Influenza, Polio, Ebola, and others have been discovered around the globe thus far, and the Marburg virus is one among them and is just as hazardous as the Ebola virus. A virus can spread through the air, water, food, and also via contact.
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First of all, Dr. Edward Jenner discovered in 1716 that smallpox is caused by a virus, he also invented the smallpox vaccine. There are three different types of viruses, according to the nature of the host.
- Plant virus,
- animal virus, and
- bacteriophage virus.
What is the Marburg Virus
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), The Marburg virus was initially discovered in 1967 in workers working with imported green monkeys from Uganda in Germany and the former Yugoslavia.
And it is described as a rare severe hemorrhagic fever, and it is also a member of the RNA Virus Filoviruses family like the Ebola virus, according to the previous outbreaks, the death rate in the case of this uncommon virus was variable from 24 to 88 percent. In Angola in 2004–2005, it caused the deaths of 88% of those who were infected. Earlier in July 2022, there was an outbreak of this disease in the country of Ghana.
Marburg virus is believed to have originated in the urine or faeces of African fruit bats & Rousettus aegyptiacus. And this is possible only when the workers work for long hours in the places where these bats live (mines or caves) or tourists visit nearby.
Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that at least nine people have died due to Marburg virus disease infection in Equatorial Guinea, a small country in Africa, and 16-20 suspected cases are being investigated. It is also deadly and dangerous like the Ebola virus. If there is no timely treatment, then it can also create a dangerous situation like Coronavirus.
The UN health branch (WHO) reported on 13 February that samples from the West African country had been sent to a laboratory in Senegal after the local health official warned. Initial investigation revealed a highly viral disease.
Symptoms of Marburg Virus Disease
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the Marburg virus can cause high fever, chills, severe headache, sore throat, muscle aches, vomiting and diarrhea, bloody nose, nervousness, abdominal pain and cramps, and nausea. Apart from this, during its infection, the eyes of the patients get sunken inward, facial expressions change and the patient feels extremely lethargic. It can affect all parts of the body.
Marburg virus can cause easy bleeding and due to which maculopapular rash appears on the body (abdomen, back, and chest) of the infected person in 5 to 7 days it affects his central nervous system due to which the infected person Confusion and irritability arise, and if does not get proper treatment then the victim may die after 8 to 9 days.
Marburg virus Treatment
There is currently no vaccine, drug, or antiviral therapy approved for the treatment of Marburg virus disease. The WHO states that probative care similar to furnishing plenitude of water to hydrate the body, maintaining oxygen situations, and treating specific symptoms can help ameliorate survival rates.
In addition to these, monoclonal antibodies or antivirals being used in clinical trials for Ebola virus disease can also potentially be used for the Marburg virus. Marburg virus can be avoided only by doing contact tracing and isolating suspected people.
keeping the infected person in strict isolation, and properly disposing of needles, equipment, and excreta of the patient.
Rescue Efforts by WHO & CDC
WHO has also made sure to provide personal protective equipment for the medical team and hundreds of health workers in the affected areas. Also, contact tracing is being done by banning movement between two nearby villages in Equatorial Guinea. Borders with Equatorial Guinea have been temporarily closed to help trace the disease early and contain the spread.
Disclaimer – We are not doctors, but all the information provided is to make you aware, so if you are facing any problem related to your health or if you see any such symptoms, then consult a doctor immediately.
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