Topline
Ghana confirmed the nation’s first outbreak of the lethal Marburg virus on Sunday, inserting it and neighboring international locations on excessive alert as consultants scramble to comprise the extremely infectious Ebola-like illness for which there isn’t any permitted vaccine or therapy.
Fruit bats are the pure reservoir of Marburg virus.
The Washington Publish by way of Getty Photos
Key Details
Marburg is a extremely infectious viral hemorrhagic fever in the identical household as Ebola.
The virus is initially transmitted to individuals from fruit bats and spreads amongst people by means of contact with the bodily fluids of contaminated individuals, according to the WHO.
Sickness begins all of the sudden and signs include excessive fever, muscle pains, bleeding, extreme complications, diarrhea and vomiting blood.
Marburg causes severe sickness and will be deadly, with fatality charges from previous outbreaks various from 24% to 88% relying on virus pressure and high quality of care amongst victims.
There are not any vaccines or therapies permitted to deal with the virus—a number of are in early phases of growth—although supportive care like rehydration and the therapy of particular signs can enhance outcomes.
Information Peg
Ghana’s Ministry of Well being confirmed two instances of Marburg virus illness on Sunday after the virus was discovered within the blood of two deceased sufferers affected by signs together with diarrhea, fever, nausea and vomiting. It’s the nation’s first outbreak and solely the second time the illness has been detected in West Africa. Almost 100 individuals have been positioned beneath quarantine after being recognized as potential contacts. Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, praised the nation’s “swift response,” warning that “Marburg can simply get out of hand… with out quick and decisive motion.” The WHO stated it’s supporting well being officers in Ghana and has reached out to neighboring high-risk international locations they usually “are on alert.”
Key Background
Marburg is a uncommon however severe illness. African fruit bats are the pure hosts of the virus—contaminated bats do not show apparent indicators of sickness—however Marburg generally spills over into primates, together with individuals, with devastating impact. Well being officers in Ghana have advised individuals to keep away from caves and mines occupied by bats to attenuate the chance of spreading the virus and to completely prepare dinner meat earlier than consumption. The virus was first recognized in 1967 after a number of simultaneous instances linked to contaminated laboratory monkeys in Marburg and Frankfurt, Germany and Belgrade, then Yugoslavia. There have been a variety of Marburg virus illness outbreaks since then, notably in Angola throughout 2004-2005 and the Democratic Republic of Congo throughout 1998-2000, which killed a whole lot of individuals. The Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention notes that prognosis of Marburg virus illness “will be troublesome” as many indicators and signs are much like different infectious ailments like malaria or typhoid fever or different hemorrhagic fevers like Lassa or Ebola.
