Officials in the West African country of Guinea have confirmed the first case of Marburg disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) has given this information. WHO has reported that one person has died due to Marburg virus. This disease is similar to Ebola. In this way, this is the first time that this deadly disease has been identified in West Africa. There have been 12 major Marburg outbreaks since 1967. But most outbreaks were reported in southern and eastern Africa.
The confirmed case of Marburg virus comes at a time when the WHO announced two months ago that the second outbreak of Ebola in Guinea was over. Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO's regional director for Africa, said, "The possibility of the Marburg virus spreading far and wide means that we need to stop it from spreading." We are working with health officials to take swift action based on past experiences with Guinea regarding Ebola. This disease also spreads like Ebola. This case came to the fore in Guinea last week.
What you need to know about Marburg virus?
(1.) According to the WHO, Marburg is also caused by the virus, which causes Ebola disease. In such a situation, both viruses come from the 'Filoviridae or Filovirus' family. It causes hemorrhagic fever and the mortality rate for infection with this virus is 88 percent.
(2.) Marburg virus is named after the city of Marburg in Germany, where it first appeared in 1967. In the same year, an outbreak of Marburg was also seen in Frankfurt, Germany, Belgrade in present-day Serbia.
(3.) Humans come under the grip of this virus due to spending a long time in the mines and caves inhabited by Rosatum bats. Once infected, the patient can transmit this virus to other people through blood and body fluids. Apart from this, this virus can also reach other people through surfaces and things getting dirty with the liquid coming out of the body of the infected patient.
(4.) Symptoms of Marburg disease include high fever, severe headache, muscle aches, pain, diarrhea, abdominal pain, cramps, nausea and vomiting. Diarrhea can last up to a week.
(5.) According to both WHO and US CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), there is currently no vaccine or antiviral drug for this disease. However, being given fluids can be helpful.
(6.) Earlier, cases of Marburg virus in Africa were reported from Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, South Africa and Uganda.
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