Ghana reports first-ever suspected cases of Marburg virus disease

Source: The post is based on the article “Ghana reports first-ever suspected cases of Marburg virus disease” published in Down To Earth on 11th July 2022.

What is the News?

Ghana has reported its first-ever suspected cases of Marburg Virus Disease.

What is Marburg Virus Disease?

Marburg virus disease(MVD) is a severe disease in humans caused by Marburg marburgvirus(MARV). 

The virus belongs to the same family(Filoviridae family) as the Ebola virus.

Origin: The disease was first identified in 1967 in Germany’s Marburg and Frankfurt and Serbia’s Belgrade following two large outbreaks.

Vector: Fruit bats are the key carriers of the disease. It typically infects humans following prolonged exposure to mines or caves inhabited by Rousettus bat colonies. 

Transmission: Human-to-human transmission takes place through direct contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people. Surfaces and materials contaminated with these fluids are other vital sources. Its incubation period ranges from two days to three weeks. 

Symptoms: High fever, severe headache and severe malaise accompanied by muscle aches and pains are some common symptoms of the disease. 

Fatality Rate: Marburg is potentially very harmful and deadly. Case fatality rates in past outbreaks have ranged from 24% to 88%.

Treatment: There are no specific vaccines or antiviral treatments to treat the disease. However, chances of survival improve significantly with the help of rehydration with oral or intravenous fluids and targeted symptom treatment.