WHO confirms highly infectious Marburg virus outbreak after 10 deaths; symptoms, treatment, and other details
There is a report of nine cases of the Marburg virus leading to death in Kie Ntem Province from Equatorial Guinea. Apart from these nine cases, 16 other suspected cases have been sighted till now and near about 200 people have been quarantined to stop any increase in the cases.
The virus results in hemorrhagic fever are quite similar to the Ebola virus and is extremely toxic with a fatality rate of 88%.
The confirmation for the outbreak was done by Equatorial Guinea of Marburg virus on Monday (local time) post nine people’s samples were found positive for the virus.
Though there were some cases of previous outbreaks and sporadic cases in other parts of Africa including Angola, DR Congo, Guinea, Kenya, South Africa, and Uganda, this is the first time that the Marburg outbreak in the central African country has been reported. Ghana confirmed two Marburg deaths for the first time last July and they were also the first cases in West Africa. An end to the outbreak was declared in September by the Authorities.
According to the statement, the advance teams have been sent to the influenced areas to track those who came in contact with the afflicted persons, isolate them, and give medical care to those having any symptoms of the disease. The vigilant authorities have also provided the shipment of glove tents for sample testing along with one viral hemorrhagic fever kit, having personal protective equipment which can give service to at least 500 health workers.
WHO is also vigilant on the matter and to support the national response efforts and secure community collaboration in outbreak control is positioning health emergency experts in epidemiology, case management, infection prevention, laboratory, and risk communication.
As per Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, the virus is highly toxic. And he is thankful to the Equatorial Guinean authorities for confirming the disease. This will help in emergency response to work in full force very fast so that lives can be saved and stop the virus as soon as possible.
SYMPTOMS OF THE VIRUS
The illness and symptoms of the Marburg virus begin abruptly, with high fever, severe headache, and severe malaise. According to the WHO, the Marburg virus disease is very toxic and is in the same category as the virus that causes the Ebola virus disease.
Severe hemorrhagic symptoms within seven days of first falling sick are witnessed in many patients. The virus normally needs 2 to 21 days to hatch, giving rise to abrupt symptoms. And this makes Marburg difficult to diagnose in the beginning, as the symptoms are similar to typhoid and malaria.
TRANSMISSION
The spread of the virus takes place from fruit bats transmitted among humans via direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people, surfaces, and materials.
TREATMENT OPTIONS
At present, there are no vaccines or treatment plans to treat the virus, but there is a supportive care system, including steps like rehydration with oral or intravenous fluids. This improves an individual’s rate of survival.
While there is currently no vaccine or treatment plans to treat the virus, which there is a supportive care system, with treatments like rehydration with oral or intravenous fluids, has proven to improve an individual’s chances of survival. Evaluation of prospective treatments, which include blood products, immune therapies, and drug therapies, as well as candidate vaccines with phase 1 data are being done.
A containment plan has been already activated in close alliance with the UN World Health Organization (WHO) to handle the epidemic in the area which is covered by dense equatorial forest in the eastern part of the country’s mainland, including two main islands too.
To aid and support the oil-rich state led since 1979 by the authoritarian President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, the WHO had already sent specialized teams to support local authorities in Equatorial Guinea.
After Equatorial Guinea announced the suspected Marburg cases, Gabon and Camero had already implemented testing and border controls or restrictions in some areas
