What Is Marburg Virus? Ghana Confirms Its First Outbreak Of Highly Infectious Virus

After two people who later died tested positive for the virus earlier this month, Ghana's health ministry announced on Sunday that two cases of the Marburg virus, a highly contagious illness comparable to Ebola, have been officially verified.

Ghana's health ministry states that the two patients just passed away in a hospital in the southern Ashanti area. Their tests yielded positive results earlier this month, and a laboratory in Senegal has since confirmed this. 98 people are reportedly currently quarantined as suspected contact cases in the West African country, according to health officials.

Ghana's prompt response has been lauded by the World Health Organization (WHO), which is providing assistance to the nation's health authorities. Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, the WHO's Africa director said, "This is good because, without immediate and decisive action, Marburg can easily get out of hand."

Marburg virus has been detected in West Africa twice, most recently now. The outbreak in Guinea last year had one confirmed case, but it was claimed to be over in five weeks after the patient was discovered in September.

Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, South Africa, and Uganda have all experienced prior outbreaks and isolated cases, according to the WHO. According to the international health organisation, the virus killed more than 200 individuals in Angola in 2005, making it the worst epidemic ever. Moreover, seven individuals perished in the first Marburg outbreak, which occurred in Germany in 1967.

We've compiled all the information you require about the virus right here.

What is Marburg Virus?

The Marburg virus (MARV), a virus that causes viral hemorrhagic fever in humans and primates, causes Marburg virus illness. It is claimed that the virus is very deadly.

It is identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a pathogen (requiring biosafety level 4-equivalent containment) in Risk Group 4. It is classified as a Category A Priority Pathogen and a Category A Bioterrorism Agent in the United States by the National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, respectively. The Australia Group has also classified it as a biological agent for export control.

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The virus enters humans through fruit bats and spreads between people through the exchange of body fluids during unprotected sex or broken skin. It is a serious illness that frequently results in death and has symptoms like headaches, fevers, muscle cramps, vomiting blood, and bleeding.

The Marburg virus is comparable to Ebola, but it is not the same. The infection of Marburg Virus can also result in bleeding (haemorrhage), fever, and other Ebola-like symptoms.
Although it is impossible to treat the virus after it has been contracted early, skilled treatment of symptoms like dehydration greatly increases the likelihood of survival.

(Feature Image Credit: The Indian Express)