New Marburg virus outbreak: where the Ebola-like pathogen is at work
Infection by it Marburg virus It is a very virulent disease case fatality up to 88%. He belongs to the same family as him ebola virus.
It happened for the first time outbreak of a viral disease Marburg in Rwandacountry located in east central Africa and landlocked. Since the virus was described, most outbreaks have occurred in other countries on the African continent.
Until now In Rwanda, 26 cases have been confirmed and 8 have diedas the Minister of Health declared on Sunday evening, Sabin Nsanzimana.
Most of the victims are medical workers in the intensive care unit, Nsanzimana said in a video posted on X.
“The vast majority of cases and deaths occurred among medical personnel, especially in the intensive care unit,” the minister said.
Marburg disease It is a hemorrhagic fever and manifested symptoms such as severe headaches, vomiting, muscle and stomach pains in those affected in Rwanda. To date, there is no vaccine or specific treatment tested and approved for the virus infection.
He Sabin Vaccine Institute in the United States evaluated a phase 2 vaccine candidate in the Walter Reed Project of the last January Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda.
So far, all outbreaks caused by the virus have occurred in Africa. But the virus is named after the city in Germanywhere it was first characterized.
This is because two outbreaks occurred simultaneously in 1967 in Marburg, Germany and Belgrade, Serbia (then Yugoslavia) among laboratory workers handling tissues from African green monkeys imported from Uganda. It also affected the health workers who take care of the laboratory workers. Of the 37 cases, nine people died.
Since the virus was described, it has occurred 16 buds Marburg virus. They were generally small and ended relatively quickly thanks to measures such as limitations from the areas where the disabled reside.
But there were also situations that were not quickly handled. Outbreak in 1998-2000 Democratic Republic of the Congo which involved 154 cases and 128 dead. IN Angolathey died as a result of another outbreak that occurred between 2004 and 2005 227 dead.
Last year there was an outbreak of Equatorial Guinea and another inside Tanzaniawhich ran from March to May and caused five deaths.
The Marburg virus is transmitted to humans from bats fruit Egyptians (Rousettus aegyptiacus) who became infected. This species of bat is dark brown and lives mainly in Africa and some areas of Asia.
The pathogen is found in the saliva, urine and feces of infected bats. On the other hand, sick people can transmit infection to others, through wound on the skin or in membranes mucous membrane eyes, nose or mouth.
The Ministry of Rwanda announced that various institutions and allied organizations are working together localize those who have been in contact with people affected by the virus.
The population was invited to avoid physical contact to help slow the spread. About 300 people who were in contact with those diagnosed with the virus have also been identified, according to the AP news agency.
“Marburg is a rare disease,” Minister Nsanzimana told reporters. “We are intensifying the monitoring contacts and testing help stop the spread.”
The minister said that the origin of the disease has not yet been determined. A person infected with the virus may be among them three days and three weeks for symptoms to appearhe added.
Meanwhile, representation WHO in Rwanda announced that 161 people who had been in contact with the reported cases of infection have so far been identified and monitored. Measures are also being taken to determine the origin of the outbreak.
“We are rapidly implementing all critical aspects of the outbreak response to help Rwanda quickly and effectively stop the spread of this virus,” he said. Matshidiso Moetidirector WHO Regional Office for Africa.