In Photos: What Is the Marburg Virus Disease?
What are the symptoms of Marburg virus? How is it treated? Is there a vaccine for it? FIT explains in photos.
Colorized Marburg virus particles viewed with a transmission electron microscope
(Photo: iStock)
An outbreak of Marburg virus was confirmed by the WHO in Equatorial Guinea after at least 16 symptomatic cases were reported.
Although Marburg outbreaks have been reported in neighbouring countries in Africa including in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola, this is the first time it’s been reported in Equatorial Guinea.
The news of the outbreak has put experts on edge about the possibility of a global outbreak.
The Marburg virus disease, is a haemorrhagic fever– a group of illnesses caused by a specific set of viruses. Marburg fever is classified in the same family as the Ebola virus.
Like Ebola, the Marburg virus also originated in bats. It spreads to humans through close contact with the bodily fluids of infected people or contaminated surfaces.
The Marburg virus disease is highly contagious, and in humans, it can manifest as severe illness and even cause fatality.
According to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, the most common symptoms are, fever, chills, headache, muscle Pain (Myalgia).
Some people may also develop rashes on their stomach, chest or back.
There is no treatment specifically for Marburg fever. Like many other viral infections, treatment involves symptomatic care.
There is no vaccine for marburg virus, but there are some vaccines that are currently at different stages of clinical testing.
The World Health Organisation has confirmed an outbreak of Marburg fever in Equatorial Guinea after 16 cases of the illness were reported. This is the first time the virus has been reported in the Central African country.
The outbreak has sparked concerns among experts about the possibility of a global outbreak, especially as the world emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Here are nine things to know about the Marburg virus outbreak, it's symptoms, and treatment.
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