“Ghana has confirmed its first two cases of the deadly Marburg virus, a highly infectious disease in the same family as the virus that causes the feared Ebola.”

As deadly as this disease is, all the two who tested positive for the virus died. Fortunately, the 98 contacts are all well and even the 13 who were randomly tested had negative results.

The questions on our minds include; where did they contract this disease from since no others have so far been diagnosed? They both had no history of travel outside the country and may not even ever had contact.

It appears the world is under attack from viruses and over the past few years this has become pronounced fuelling the thoughts of conspiracy theorists BUT we should at all times be cautious whenever there is the need for close contact with others AND we have to love one another and isolate when we are unwell while we get professional medical advice.

What is the Marburg virus? How is it transmitted? What are its symptoms? Is there a cure for the disease it inflicts on one’s body?  How can one protect themselves from the virus? Read on for the answers to these questions.

WHAT THE MARBURG VIRUS IS

The Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) is a rare but severe hemorrhagic fever which affects both people and non-human primates. In simple terms, the virus affects multiple organ systems in the body and is accompanied by hemorrhage (bleeding).

It became known when it affected and killed some thirty-one people in Marburg and Frankfurt, Germany in 1967. Many of us in Ghana are familiar with Ebola Virus that is related to Marburg virus and as we are aware is also deadlier than one can ever imagine.

HOW THE MVS IS TRANSMITTED

The initial transmission (primary transmission) is from non-human primates, most especially the African Fruit Bat through their faeces and urine. Secondarily, it spreads in high numbers from person to person through close contacts, such as,

• Through broken skin or mucous membranes in the eyes, nose, or mouth or body fluids (urine, saliva, sweat, faeces, vomit, breast milk, amniotic fluid, and semen) of a person who is sick with or died from Marburg virus disease.
• Through infected needles, clothing and bed sheets. It is important for Health Practitioners to protect themselves using specialised personal protective equipment which covers them from head to toe while dealing with cases of such calibre.
• From infected people to their family members who are caring for them or preparing the dead for burial. Report to the hospital early if a family member shows any sign of the symptoms below and always wait for the autopsy report and clearance from the hospital before taking home a deceased family member for burial rites.

Thankfully, people who contract the Marburg virus typically don’t become contagious until they develop symptoms. It is important to note that there are no research findings that show that the virus can be spread through insect bites.

SYMPTOMS OF THE MARBURG VIRUS DISEASE

Like other viruses, the Marburg Virus Disease has an incubation (time from contact to exhibition of symptoms) period of 2 to 21 days after which the patient suffers fever, chills, headaches, and mild to severe muscle pain.

Five days after the symptoms above start, the patient may experience a rash on their trunk (chest, back, stomach), accompanied by nausea, vomiting, sore throat, chest pain, abdominal pain and diarrhoea.

Symptoms become more severe as the days go by. These may include severe bleeding, shock, liver failure, inflammation of the pancreas, massive weight loss, and multi-organ dysfunction.

CLASSIC SYMPTOMS;

• fever
• bloody diarrhoea
• bleeding from gums
• bleeding into the skin
• bleeding into the eyes
• bloody urine

MVD often ends up in death from multiple organ failure. Other complications include seizures (fits) and delirium.

TREATMENT FOR THE MARBURG VIRUS DISEASE

There aren’t any approved treatments or vaccines for the Marburg Virus Disease. Patients are given supportive care i.e., rehydration both through intravenous and oral means, balancing patient’s electrolytes, improving oxygen status and blood pressure, replacing lost blood and managing blood clot challenges etc.  The goal is to manage specific symptoms.

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM THE VIRUS

• Primarily, people should desist from having any contacts with fruit bats. As well as other primates such as monkeys, grasscutters etc. Avoid touching or eating these animals.
• Meat should be thoroughly cooked before eating
• Avoid caves and mines that may be harbouring the virus.
• With regards to human to human transmission, report to the nearest hospital in instances where you see any of the symptoms mentioned above on any relative or friend before assisting them. In instances where you have to assist the patient before the arrival of the medics, make sure to protect yourself before touching or assisting them.
• Medical practitioners should stick strictly to their safety routines when attending to patients including using the appropriate protective equipment.
• Wash your hands frequently and use your hand sanitizers in instances where there is the absence of soap and running water.

Recovery from this disease is slow and painful and the virus stays in one’s body for weeks while it takes months to regain your strength and the weight that is lost.

Note that THERE IS NO VACCINE to protect us from Marburg Virus Disease!!!!

The Marburg Virus Disease is quite rare but can spread very fast when a person contracts it. In Ghana, the Ghana Health Service has put in place measures that can help trace contacts and quarantine persons who have had contacts with infected persons.

Remember to follow all Covid-19 protocols as they go a long way to protect us from many other viruses including the Marburg Virus.

AS ALWAYS LAUGH OFTEN, ENSURE HYGIENE, WALK AND PRAY EVERYDAY AND REMEMBER IT’S A PRICELESS GIFT TO KNOW YOUR NUMBERS (blood sugar, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, BMI)

Augustina Amarh, Content Creator, Health Essentials Ltd

& Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel

*Dr. Essel is a medical doctor, holds an MBA and is ISSA certified in exercise therapy, fitness nutrition and corrective exercise.

Thought for the week – “Don’t lose out on laughter, the benefits match Exercise, Meditation & Sex all rolled into one.”

References:

• https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-62202240
• https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/marburg-virus-disease
• https://www.cdc.gov/vhf/marburg/prevention/index.html
• GHS Press Release

By Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel