Marburg virus detected in Ghana: All about Marburg virus

The health authorities of the West African nation Ghana have reported the first two cases of the deadly Marburg virus.

• The two persons were shifted to a hospital, where they succumbed to the illness. This is Ghana’s first outbreak – but a number of African countries have had previously had cases.

• A 2005 outbreak in Angola killed more than 300 people.

• But in Europe, only one person has died in the past 40 years – and one in the US, after returning from expeditions to caves in Uganda.

About Marburg virus

• Marburg is a highly infectious viral disease that leads to haemorrhagic fever, with a fatality ratio of up to 88%.

• Marburg is in the same family as the Ebola virus disease. In other words, Marburg is as deadly as Ebola and so far, no treatment or vaccine has been found to treat/cure/prevent from the disease.

• The Marburg virus was first identified after 31 people were infected and seven died in simultaneous outbreaks in 1967 in: Marburg and Frankfurt (Germany) and Belgrade (Serbia).

• The outbreak was traced to African green monkeys imported from Uganda. But the virus has since been linked to other animals.

• Among humans, it is spread mostly by people who have spent long periods in caves and mines populated by bats.

• The Egyptian rousette fruit bat often harbours the virus.

• African green monkeys and pigs can also carry it.

• Among humans, it spreads through bodily fluids and contact with contaminated bedding.

• Even after people have recovered, their blood or semen, for example, can infect others for many months afterwards.

• A person infected with Marburg virus suffers from high fever, severe headache, muscle pain, abdominal pain, and cramping.

• Nausea and vomiting can also begin on the third day of infection. Diarrhoea can persist for a week.

• According to the WHO, the appearance of patients at this phase has been described as showing “ghost-like” drawn features, deep-set eyes, expressionless faces, and extreme lethargy.

• A non-itchy rash has also been taken note of between the second and seventh day after the onset of symptoms.

• In fatal cases, death usually occurs between 8 and 9 days after onset, usually preceded by severe blood loss and shock.

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