Fears of a widespread epidemic of this extremely contagious disease, which causes fever, muscular aches, diarrhea, vomiting, and, in many cases, death from excessive blood loss, have been sparked by the deaths of two persons and the quarantining of 98 from the Marburg virus in Ghana.
What exactly is a Marburg virus?
The Marburg virus, a close relative of the extremely deadly Ebola virus, was originally discovered in 1967 during simultaneous outbreaks in which 31 persons became sick and seven perished in:
Germany's Marburg and Frankfurt
Serbia, Belgrade
The disease was linked to Ugandan-imported African green monkeys.
But since then, numerous species have been connected to the virus.
And among people, it is mostly disseminated by those who have spent a lot of time in caves and mines where there are many bats.
Although this is the first epidemic to affect Ghana, others throughout Africa have had them, including:
The Democratic Republic of Congo,
Kenya
South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Uganda
More than 300 individuals died in Angola in an epidemic in 2005.
However, in the preceding 40 years, just one death each occurred in Europe and the US, both following trips to Ugandan caverns.
Significant breakouts
Three cases, and three deaths in Uganda in 2017
2012, Angola: 374 cases, 329 died
1998-2000, DR Congo: 154 cases, 128 died
1967, Uganda: 15 cases, four deaths
In 2005, Germany: had 29 cases, seven deaths
What disease does it bring on?
The virus starts off quickly with:
Fever, a headache, and intense muscular discomfort.
Three days later, this is frequently followed by:
Vomiting, nausea, and stomach discomfort with watery diarrhea.
The WHO notes that patients' looks at this stage have been compared to "ghost faces," with deep-set eyes, expressionless faces, and profound lethargy.
Due to severe blood loss and shock, many patients continue to bleed from various regions of the body and pass away eight to nine days after initially becoming unwell.
According to the WHO, the virus typically kills 50% of individuals who become infected, but the most dangerous strains have been known to kill up to 88%.
How is it dispersed?
The virus is frequently carried by the Egyptian roulette fruit bat.
Pigs and African green monkeys can both transport it.
It spreads among people through contaminated bedding and body fluids.
And even if a person recovers, their blood or semen, for instance, might continue to spread the infection for many months.
How should it be handled?
The virus has no particular vaccination or therapy.
According to the WHO, a variety of blood products, medications, and immunological treatments are being developed.
Additionally, by providing hospital patients with plenty of fluids and restoring lost blood, doctors may be able to reduce the symptoms.
How is it to be confined?
According to Gavi, a global organization promoting vaccination access, people in Africa should refrain from eating or touching bushmeat.
The WHO advises against interacting with pigs in places where an epidemic is occurring.
For a year from the start of their symptoms or until their semen has tested negative twice, men who have had the virus should wear condoms.
The bodies of those who have died from the virus should not be touched by those who are burial them.
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