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What is the Marburg virus and how can it be avoided? What is the Marburg virus and how can it be avoided?
(about 11 hours later)
Two people in Ghana have died from the Marburg virus - and 98 been quarantined - raising fears of a mass outbreak of this highly infectious disease, which causes fever, muscle pains, diarrhoea, vomiting and, in many cases, death through extreme blood loss. Two people in Ghana have died from the Marburg virus - and 98 been quarantined - raising fears of a mass outbreak.
The highly infectious disease causes fever, muscle pains, diarrhoea, vomiting and, in some cases, death through extreme blood loss.
Hundreds of people have died from the virus in the past, mostly in Africa.
Ghana confirms first cases of deadly Marburg virus
Ebola-like Marburg virus found in Guinea
What is the Marburg virus?What is the Marburg virus?
A cousin of the equally deadly Ebola virus, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), the Marburg virus, was first identified after 31 people were infected and seven died in simultaneous outbreaks in 1967 in: A cousin of the equally deadly Ebola virus, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), the Marburg virus was first identified after 31 people were infected and seven died in simultaneous outbreaks in 1967 in:
Marburg and Frankfurt, GermanyMarburg and Frankfurt, Germany
Belgrade, SerbiaBelgrade, Serbia
The Marburg virus was first traced to the African green monkeyThe Marburg virus was first traced to the African green monkey
The outbreak was traced to African green monkeys imported from Uganda.The outbreak was traced to African green monkeys imported from Uganda.
But the virus has been linked to other animals since then. But the virus has since been linked to other animals.
And among humans, it is spread mostly by people who have spent long periods in caves and mines populated by bats. Among humans, it is spread mostly by people who have spent long periods in caves and mines populated by bats.
This is Ghana's first outbreak - but a number of African countries have had them, including: This is Ghana's first outbreak - but a number of African countries have had previously had cases, including:
the Democratic Republic of the Congothe Democratic Republic of the Congo
KenyaKenya
South AfricaSouth Africa
UgandaUganda
ZimbabweZimbabwe
A 2005 outbreak in Angola killed more than 300 people.A 2005 outbreak in Angola killed more than 300 people.
But in Europe, only one person has died in the past 40 years - and one in the US, after returning from expeditions to caves in Uganda.But in Europe, only one person has died in the past 40 years - and one in the US, after returning from expeditions to caves in Uganda.
Major outbreaks:Major outbreaks:
2017, Uganda: three cases, three died 2017, Uganda: three cases, three deaths
2012, Uganda: 15 cases, four died 2012, Uganda: 15 cases, four deaths
2005, Angola: 374 cases, 329 died 2005, Angola: 374 cases, 329 deaths
1998-2000, DR Congo: 154 cases, 128 died 1998-2000, DR Congo: 154 cases, 128 deaths
1967, Germany: 29 cases, seven died 1967, Germany: 29 cases, seven deaths
Source: WHOSource: WHO
What illness does it cause?What illness does it cause?
The virus begins abruptly with:The virus begins abruptly with:
a fevera fever
severe headachesevere headache
muscle painsmuscle pains
This is often followed, three days later, by:This is often followed, three days later, by:
watery diarrhoeawatery diarrhoea
stomach painstomach pain
nauseanausea
vomitingvomiting
The WHO says: "The appearance of patients at this phase has been described as showing 'ghost-like' drawn features, deep-set eyes, expressionless faces and extreme lethargy."The WHO says: "The appearance of patients at this phase has been described as showing 'ghost-like' drawn features, deep-set eyes, expressionless faces and extreme lethargy."
Many people go on to bleed from various parts of the body and die eight to nine days after first falling ill, because of extreme loss of blood and shock. Many people go on to bleed from various parts of the body, and die eight to nine days after first falling ill, because of extreme loss of blood and shock.
On average, the virus kills half those infected, the WHO says, but the most harmful strains have killed up to 88%. On average, the virus kills half those infected, says the WHO, but the most harmful strains have killed up to 88%.
The Egyptian rousette fruit bat is a main carrier of the virusThe Egyptian rousette fruit bat is a main carrier of the virus
How is it spread?How is it spread?
The Egyptian rousette fruit bat often harbours the virus.The Egyptian rousette fruit bat often harbours the virus.
African green monkeys and pigs can also carry it.African green monkeys and pigs can also carry it.
Among humans, it spreads through bodily fluids and bedding contaminated with them. Among humans, it spreads through bodily fluids and contact with contaminated bedding.
And even if people recover, their blood or semen, for example, can infect others for many months afterwards. Even after people have recovered, their blood or semen, for example, can infect others for many months afterwards.
How can it be treated?How can it be treated?
There is no specific vaccine or treatments for the virus. There are no specific treatments or a vaccine for the virus.
But a range of blood products, drug and immune therapies are being developed, the WHO says.But a range of blood products, drug and immune therapies are being developed, the WHO says.
And doctors may be able to alleviate the symptoms by giving hospital patients plenty of fluids and replacing lost blood.And doctors may be able to alleviate the symptoms by giving hospital patients plenty of fluids and replacing lost blood.
How can it be contained?How can it be contained?
People in Africa should avoid eating or handling bushmeat, Gavi, an international organisation promoting vaccine access, says. People in Africa should avoid eating or handling bushmeat, according to Gavi, an international organisation promoting vaccine access.
People should also avoid contact with pigs in areas with an outbreak, the WHO says. People should also avoid contact with pigs in areas with an outbreak, says the WHO.
Men who have had the virus should use condoms for a year after the onset of symptoms or until their semen twice tests negative. Men who have had the virus should use condoms for a year after the onset of symptoms or until their semen tests negative for the virus twice.
And those burying people who have died from the virus should avoid touching the body. Those who bury people who have died from the virus should also avoid touching the body.