Global reports of the rapid spread of Marbage virus, or hemorrhagic eye virus, have raised concerns about the deadly disease that has spread to some countries. Marburg virus is spread through contact with Egyptian red bats or infected humans. How safe are people in India? Full report.
According to the latest update, a new strain of the virus is called Malbu virus triggering global concern. The disease can spread from person to person and causes fatal symptoms and death in 50% of cases. One of the classic symptoms of the disease is eye bleeding, hence the name “eye hemorrhage.” hemorrhagic eye disease. According to the UK Department of Health website Travel Health Pro, Marburg virus is spreading in multiple countries. According to the CDC, 66 people have become sick and 15 have died in Rwanda, but more may be infected.
Marburg emergency warning over spread of deadly ‘bleeding’ virus
Marburg virus disease (MVD), which often causes hemorrhagic eye syndrome, was formerly known as Marburg hemorrhagic fever, according to data provided by the World Health Organization (WHO). In most cases, it manifests itself as a fatal disease in humans. The average mortality rate from this disease is approximately 50%. However, this proportion varies across outbreaks, ranging from 24% to 88%.
disease symptoms
Marburg virus disease (MVD), also known as hemorrhagic eye disease, is caused by Marburg virus, a member of the filovirus family (the same family as Ebola virus). Symptoms usually appear 2-21 days after exposure and last several weeks.
Early symptoms (days 1-5)
Sudden onset of high fever with chills.
Severe headache with muscle aches.
Extreme fatigue and weakness.
Loss of appetite.
Later symptoms (days 5-7)
Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea: May become severe and are often described as “watery diarrhea.”
Abdominal pain and cramping.
Sore throat.
Rash: A non-itchy rash may occur, primarily on the chest, back, and stomach.
Representative image (source: canva)
extreme symptoms
Bleeding from the gums, nose, or injection site; blood in vomit, stool, or urine when fever causes bleeding.
Liver failure, renal dysfunction, and jaundice.
Neurological symptoms due to brain involvement.
Severe fluid loss or bleeding leads to septic shock.
In some patients, it can cause multiple organ failure, coma, and death: the disease has a mortality rate of 24 to 88 percent, depending on treatment and the outbreak.
It is worth noting that not everyone infected with the Marbug virus will die, so with timely treatment and diagnosis, the virus can be controlled and there are cases of recovery. If Marburg virus is suspected, immediate isolation and contact tracing are critical, along with supportive care such as fluid replacement and symptom management. No specific antiviral treatment exists, but early supportive care can improve chances of survival.
MVD is spread through contact with: body fluids (e.g., blood, saliva, sweat, urine)
Infected surfaces or materials.
Affected animals, especially bats and non-human primates.
Representative image (source: canva)
origin of disease
According to information provided by the World Health Organization. This viral infection was first discovered in 1967, when two simultaneous outbreaks occurred in Marburg and Frankfurt, Germany, and Belgrade, Serbia. Like the original COVID-19, this outbreak is said to have originated in a laboratory working on African green monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops) imported from Uganda. Since then, sporadic cases have been reported year after year in Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa (with recent travel history to Zimbabwe), Tanzania and Uganda.
According to the data, initial human infections with Marbug were caused by long-term exposure to mines or caves where Rousettus fruit bat colonies live. But once spread among people, Marburg virus can spread from person to person through direct contact (through broken skin or mucous membranes) with an infected person’s blood, secretions, organs or other body fluids, as well as surfaces and materials. bedding, clothing) contaminated by these liquids.
Are Marburg virus and Mpox (Clade 1) the same:
No, they are not the same; they are different viruses with different origins, modes of transmission and impact on humans.
