Why in the News?

Rwanda has reported a Marburg virus outbreak with several confirmed cases and deaths, making it a country of concern for public health.

About the Marburg Virus

• The Marburg virus is a highly dangerous virus that causes Marburg Virus Disease (MVD), also known as Marburg Hemorrhagic Fever.
• It belongs to the same family of viruses as Ebola (the filovirus family).
• MVD has a case fatality rate that can range from 24% to 88%, depending on the virus strain and how cases are managed.
• The virus was first identified in 1967 during simultaneous outbreaks in Marburg and Frankfurt in Germany.

How does it spread?

• The Marburg virus initially spreads from animals to humans, primarily through exposure to Rousettus bats, particularly the Egyptian fruit bat, found in caves or mines.
• Once a person is infected, it can spread from human to human through:
  • Direct contact with the blood, and bodily fluids (urine, saliva, sweat, vomit, feces, breast milk, and semen) of an infected person.
  • Indirect contact with surfaces or objects like bedding or clothing that have been contaminated with these fluids.
  • Medical workers are often at risk, especially during outbreaks, due to contact with patients when proper infection control practices are not followed.
  • The virus does NOT spread through the air like the common cold or flu.

Symptoms and Treatment

• Symptoms typically begin between 2 to 21 days after exposure to the virus.
• Early symptoms are: High fever, severe headache, Muscle aches, Chills, Severe watery diarrhoea, abdominal pain and cramping, nausea and vomiting. 
• As the disease progresses, more severe symptoms may develop, including: Bleeding (both internal and external) ex—blood in vomit and faeces.
• Patients often die 8 to 9 days after the onset of symptoms, primarily from severe blood loss and multiple organ failure.
• Currently, there are no approved vaccines or specific antiviral treatments for MVD.  However, supportive care can improve the chances of survival.
• Supportive treatment includes:
  • Rehydration with oral or intravenous fluids to maintain fluid and electrolyte balance.
  • Treatment of specific symptoms like fever, pain, and diarrhoea.
  • Blood transfusions and oxygen therapy may be required for severe cases.

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

Attend Now