What is Marburg virus that claimed 12 lives in Rwanda?

The African nation of Rwanda is battling the outbreak of the highly contagious and deadly Marburg virus that causes haemorrhagic fever. Around 12 deaths have already been reported in Rwanda due to the virus that was diagnosed last month. Meanwhile, the death rate of this fatal disease that leads to excessive bleeding and organ failure is as high as 88 per cent. Marburg, which belongs to the same family of Ebola, is severe and deadlier than it. Currently, there are 41 confirmed Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) cases in Rwanda.

Symptoms
The symptoms will appear within 2 – 21 days after the virus enters the body. High fever, severe headache and joint pain are the most common symptoms. Meanwhile, dysentery, vomiting, and stomach aches will begin to appear on the third day. The dysentery could even last for up to a week. It is said that the patients would become severely weak, often with sunken eyes and expressionless faces that reek of extreme fatigue. The bleeding will begin from five to seven days from the nose, gums and even the genitals. Traces of blood could be seen in stool and vomit, too. Patients may be confused and show anger. Besides, swollen testicles, too, have been reported in the final stages of the disease. Marburg virus has been identified as a deadly disease that could push the patient to death within 8 – 10 days.

First reported in Germany
The disease was first identified in 1967 in Marburg and Frankfurt, Germany, and in the Serbian city of Belgrade. Laboratory work involving African green monkeys from Uganda has led to human infections. Since then, virus outbreaks have been reported in Angola, Congo, Kenya, South Africa, and Rwanda. In 2008, the virus was diagnosed in two tourists who visited Uganda.
From bats to humans
The virus may have reached humans from the fruit bats Rousettus. Human beings working in mines or prolonged exposure to bat-infested caves are at risk. Meanwhile, the virus is spread through direct contact with bodily fluids, blood, organs, and wounds of infected people. Moreover, the bed sheet and clothes used by the patient, too, could be carriers of the virus.

Diagnoses
It is not easy to distinguish Masrburg virus disease from other haemorrhagic fevers like malaria, typhoid, shigellosis, and meningitis. ELISA tests, antigen capture detection tests, serum neutralisation tests, RTPCR tests, electron microscopy, and virus isolation through cell regeneration are some of the commonly available tests to detect the virus.
Is there a treatment?
Currently, no approved vaccines or antiviral treatments for Marburg virus disease exist. Early detection, rehydration, and treatment of particular symptoms could improve the chance of survival. Meanwhile, research is progressing toward developing monoclonal antibodies and antiviral medicines.

Here’s how to prevent MVD
Those working in mines or visiting caves as tourists or research personnel should wear masks, gloves and protective gear to avoid transmitting the virus from bats to humans. Personal hygiene is important to prevent transmission of virus between humans. It is better to avoid any kind of contact with MVD patients completely. The bedsheet and the utensils used by the patient should either be disinfected or discarded. Wearing masks and washing hands using soap at regular intervals, too, might be helpful.