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Source: Down To Earth
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West Africa’s first case of the extremely contagious and deadly Marburg virus was confirmed in Guinea.
About Marburg Virus:
- Marburg virus disease(MVD) was formerly known as Marburg hemorrhagic fever.
- The virus causes hemorrhagic fever and belongs to the same family (Filoviridae family) as the Ebola virus.
- First Case: The virus was initially detected in 1967 after simultaneous outbreaks in Marburg and Frankfurt in Germany; and in Belgrade, Serbia.
- Symptoms: The common symptoms of a virus are fever, headache, fatigue, abdominal pain and gingival haemorrhage.
- Transmission: Marburg is transmitted to people from fruit bats. The virus spreads among humans through direct contact with the bodily fluids of the patient, surfaces and materials
- Fatality Rate: The case fatality rate is around 50%. Case fatality rates have varied from 24% to 88% in past outbreaks, depending on virus strain and case management.
- Treatment: There are no approved vaccines or antiviral treatments for the virus yet. Early supportive care with rehydration and symptomatic treatment improves survival.
