Marburg virus Disease

July 11, 2022

According to World Health Organisation (WHO), two suspected cases of Marburg virus disease were reported in Ghana. Marburg virus Disease is similar to Ebola.

Highlights

In the preliminary analysis, samples were taken from two patients belonging to southern Ashanti region of Ghana. Both patients died as, they were positive.
To confirm the presence of virus, samples have now been sent to the research centre in Senegal.
No new cases have been reported after these two deaths were reported.

About Marburg virus disease?

The Marburg Virus disease is an infectious haemorrhagic fever. It belongs to same family as Ebola. The virus is transmitted to people via fruit bats. People to people transmission also takes place, if the uninfected person comes in direct contact with bodily fluids of infected person or surfaces. Marburg virus has an incubation period of 2-21 days. This disease is potentially very harmful and deadly. Fatality rates in previous outbreaks have ranged from 24% to 88%.

Previous outbreaks of the disease

Earlier, Marburg Virus disease has been reported in Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, Kenya and South Africa. Single case was confirmed in Guinea, in September 2021.

Symptoms of Marburg virus disease

Common symptoms of Marburg virus disease include- high fever, severe malaise, severe headache, Muscle aches and pains. Patient may also see severe watery diarrhoea, nausea & vomiting, abdominal pain & cramping on the third day following the contracting. These symptoms persist for a week.