Marburg Virus Disease

MARBURG VIRUS DISEASE


Currently, the trending news is about the outbreak of the Marburg Virus Disease in Rwanda which was declared on September 27, 2024. This outbreak has caught the attention of various individuals in Rwanda as this is the first time it has been identified/detected in Rwanda  This is a hazardous and virulent illness that is closely related to Ebola as they belong to the same family Filoviridae and kills quickly usually within 2-29 days with a fatality rate of 88% causing hemorrhagic fever (an infectious disease that can cause severe, life-threatening illness.). Different people are being affected, especially healthcare providers, thus raising an alarming concern in the country. 

 The current situation in Rwanda as of October 8, 2024,

  •  58 prevalence cases
  • 13 death cases
  • 33 being taken care of
  • 12 recovered and discharged

Marburg Virus Disease History and Origin.

Marburg Virus Disease originally derives its name from a small town named Marburg situated in the heart of Germany. This virus was first detected in 1967 after its outbreak in this small town where scientists working in the laboratory got ill after handling the green monkey imported from Uganda. It is also believed to have been initially transmitted to humans due to prolonged exposure to mines and cases inhabited by the Rousettus bat colonies. 


2024: Rwanda
2023: Tanzania
2023: Equatorial Guinea
2022;Ghana, Ashanti region
2021:Guinea, Gueckedou
2017:Uganda, Kween
2014:Uganda, Kampala
2012:Uganda,Kabale
2008:Netherlands from uganda, maramagambo forest
2008:USA from Uganda, maramagambo forest
2007:Uganda, Kamwenge District
2004-2005:Angola, Uige province
1998-2000:Demoratic Republic of Congo ( DRC), Durba
1990:Russia
1987:Kenya
1980:Kenya
1975:South Africa from Zimbabwe
1967:Germany and Yugoslavia from Uganda

How is it transmitted? 
People get infected with MVD  through direct contact with the Rousettus bats that can carry the virus and the virus is spread in people via direct contact with blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people. Additionally, surfaces and materials such as bedding, or items of clothing contained with these fluids can lead to its transmission as well as touching a body of a deceased person who died of MVD. Note that MVD cannot be transmitted through air.

Fluids and secretions include: 
  • Human milk 
  • Blood
  • Urine and stool
  • Saliva
  • Semen
  • Vagina fluids
Even if your skin might be intact, it is not foolproof. so avoid any contact with the fluids or surfaces infected with MVD. 
Symptoms and signs

  • Marburg Virus Disease leads to various symptoms that get worse as days pass by.
  • Remember that it takes 2 to 21 days from the day you get infected to onset of symptoms. 
  • Beware for the first symptoms are non specific and might be confused with other common diseases.
The first phase starts with



  • High fever
  • Severe headache
  • Severe malaise
  • Muscle aches
  • sore throat
  • Severe watery diarrhea ( can persist for a week)
  • cramping
  • Abdominal pain
  • Nausea and vomiting
As the disease progresses, you also start to experience the following:
  • Bloody vomit and stool
  • Bleeding from the nose, mouth, eyes, and vagina.
  • Dizziness
  • It leads to confusion once it affects the central nervous system.
  • Seizures 
In very severe cases it can lead to multi-organ dysfunction, shock, liver failure, and hemorrhaging 

Preceded by severe blood loss and shock, death can occur between  8 and 9 days after the onset of the symptom
N.B: Please seek medical help if you experience some of the above symptoms.

Who are at risk of acquiring this disease
  • Healthcare providers caring for the infected patients 
  • Anyone who has had contact with the infected person or their bodily fluids
  • People who get in contact with infected non-human primates or bats or Egyptian Rousettus bats or their excretions.




Safe measures or precautions

  • Ensuring hygiene
  • Washing hands with soap
  • Sanitization
  • Avoid unnecessary gathering where fluid contact might be possible
  • Avoid going to places with infected people
  • Avoid contact with the blood and body fluids of sick people
  • Do not use or handle equipment that has been used or touched by an infected person
  • Do not get in contact with non-human primates but where Marburg disease is found


Treatment 

Currently, there is no specific medication, or treatment for this virus, but the other good news is that as of October 6, 2024, vaccines have begun being administered starting from those who are at high risk such as healthcare providers.


Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, Rwanda's health minister, described the  Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) situation as controlled but not contained. This means that although measures have been put in place to combat it and limit its spread, it is present and not fully eliminated. 

Therefore, let's all work together to prevent its transmission by taking the right precautions and measures.


Stay safe. 

Prepared by: Health and Nutrition  Department 


References

Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, October 3). Marburg virus disease (Marburg) situation summary. Marburg Virus Disease. https://www.cdc.gov/marburg/situation-summary/index.html#:~:text=The%20disease%20is%20named%20for,the%20United%20States%20is%20low

Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Marburg virus disease. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/25097-marburg-virus-disease

Marburg virus disease– the Republic of Rwanda. (2024, September 30). World Health Organization (WHO). https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2024-DON537#:~:text=Illness%20caused%20by%20Marburg%20virus,begin%20on%20the%20third%20day

Schinrring, L. (2024, October 3). Rwanda confirms more Marburg cases, plans vaccine trial. CIDRAP. https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/marburg/rwanda-confirms-more-marburg-cases-plans-vaccine-trial

Taarifa. (2024, September 29). 10 things to know about Marburg virus. Taarifa Rwanda. https://taarifa.rw/10-things-to-know-about-marburg-virus/





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