COVID-19 has put the world on alert to anything potentially infectious that could take lives or slow our daily lives to a crawl. Earlier in the year, there was concern around monkeypox which has seen increased cases. Now health officials are keeping an eye on the Marburg virus.
The Marburg Virus Has Been Reported in Ghana
The World Health Organization announced that the virus had been found in the southern Ashanti region of Ghana on Sunday, July 17, 2022. The announcement came after two people who tested positive for the disease died. Prior to this, news of the disease broke on July 8.
Marburg is a virus that is similar to Ebola, which had its own epidemic in 2014. While rare, it is considered extremely infectious. Transmission occurs between humans via contact with bodily fluids. It can also survive on surfaces and in the bodies of the deceased.
The culprit for the disease is said to be African fruit bats which can infect miners, tourists, and others who tend to frequent their environments.
The disease can result in blood clots forming in multiple areas of the body, low blood pressure, focal tissue necrosis, and MODS—or multiple organ dysfunction syndrome–which can lead to death.
According to the WHO, Marburg’s fatality rate can be anywhere between 24-percent and 88-percent. The range given factors in case management can result in a situation that can be treated and managed or an unmanageable outbreak.
Currently, it has only been reported in Ghana but was reported in Guinea last year. In 2005, there was an outbreak in Angola which resulted in over 200 deaths. As a result, Ghana’s neighboring countries are been alerted to take precautions.
Symptoms to Watch For
The symptoms for Marburg are similar to other contagious diseases in that a high fever, headache, cramps, muscle ache, discomfort, and lethargy. In the case of the two Ghanaian cases, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea were symptoms of their condition.
Five days in, those infected have a rash on their chest within five days. When fatal, death can follow eight or nine days after the symptoms. Before death, blood loss and multiple organ dysfunction occur.
As far as treatment, there is no vaccine for Marburg. Treatment such as replacing lost fluids, rehydration, and medication to battle symptoms are used to improve the infected’s survival and recovery. Since it is so similar to Ebola, identifying it early and treating the symptoms as they happen is the best that can be done at the moment.
The World Health Organization will be backing a national task force in Ghana that has the goal of watching and treating Marburg cases. This involves sending experts and equipment to help the country deal with the disease and hopefully prevent the spread.
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