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What is the Marburg virus and how can it be avoided? What is the Marburg virus and how dangerous is it?
(30 days later)
Two people in Ghana have died from the Marburg virus - and 98 been quarantined - raising fears of a mass outbreak. The Marburg virus has killed five people in north-west Tanzania.
The highly infectious disease causes fever, muscle pains, diarrhoea, vomiting and, in some cases, death through extreme blood loss. The highly-infectious disease is similar to Ebola, with symptoms including 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. Hundreds of people have died from the virus in recent years, almost all in Africa.
Ghana confirms first cases of deadly Marburg virus What is the Marburg virus and how dangerous is it?
Ebola-like Marburg virus found in Guinea According to the World Health Organization (WHO), on average, the Marburg virus kills half of the people it infects, with previous outbreaks killing between 24% and 88% of patients.
What is the Marburg virus? The virus was first identified in 1967 after 31 people were infected and seven died in simultaneous outbreaks in Marburg and Frankfurt in Germany, and Belgrade in Serbia.
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, Germany
Belgrade, Serbia
The 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 since been linked to other animals.But the virus has since been linked to other animals.
The Marburg virus was first traced to the African green monkey
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 previously had cases, including: In recent years, there have also been outbreaks of the Marburg virus in:
Equatorial Guinea
Ghana
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. However, in the rest of the world, only two people have died from the Marburg virus in the past 40 years - one person in Europe and one in the US.
Major outbreaks: Both had been on expeditions to caves in Uganda.
Where have most cases been recorded?
Five people have died in Tanzania's north-western Kagera region. Three other people are being treated in hospital and authorities are tracing 161 contacts.
This follows an outbreak in Equatorial Guinea in February, which is known to have infected nine people and killed seven.
The WHO is investigating 20 more probable cases there.
Other major outbreaks include:
2022, Ghana: three cases, two deaths
2017, Uganda: three cases, three deaths2017, Uganda: three cases, three deaths
2012, Uganda: 15 cases, four deaths2012, Uganda: 15 cases, four deaths
2005, Angola: 374 cases, 329 deaths2005, Angola: 374 cases, 329 deaths
1998-2000, DR Congo: 154 cases, 128 deaths1998-2000, DR Congo: 154 cases, 128 deaths
1967, Germany: 29 cases, seven deaths 1967, Germany/Serbia: 31 cases, seven deaths
Source: WHO What are the symptoms of the Marburg virus?
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." According to the WHO, "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 some 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, says the WHO, but the most harmful strains have killed up to 88%. The Egyptian rousette fruit bat is one of the main carriers of the virus
The Egyptian rousette fruit bat is a main carrier of the virus How is the Marburg virus spread?
How is it spread? African green monkeys and pigs can carry it.
The Egyptian rousette fruit bat often harbours the virus. The Egyptian rousette fruit bat often also harbours the virus.
African green monkeys and pigs can also carry it.
Among humans, it spreads through bodily fluids and contact with contaminated bedding.Among humans, it spreads through bodily fluids and contact with contaminated bedding.
Even after people have recovered, their blood or semen, for example, can infect others for many months afterwards. Even after people have recovered, their blood or semen can remain infectious for many months afterwards.
How can it be treated?How can it be treated?
There are no specific treatments or a vaccine 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. Doctors may be able to alleviate the symptoms by giving hospital patients plenty of fluids and using transfusions to replace lost blood.
How can it be contained?How can it be contained?
People in Africa should avoid eating or handling bushmeat, according to Gavi, an international organisation promoting vaccine access. People in Africa should avoid eating or handling bushmeat, according to Gavi, an international health organisation.
People should also avoid contact with pigs in areas with an outbreak, says the WHO.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 tests negative for the virus twice.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.
Those who bury people who have died from the virus should also avoid touching the body.Those who bury people who have died from the virus should also avoid touching the body.
Related TopicsRelated Topics
World Health Organization (WHO)
Infectious diseaseInfectious disease