Marburg belongs to the filovirus family, like the much better known Ebola. Both pathogens are clinically similar, and although rare, can cause outbreaks with high fatality rates.
How does Marburg virus spread?
Marburg is spread through contact with Egyptian rousette bats, or by contact with infected individuals. According to reports, a new strain of virus called Marburg virus has sparked global fear. The bleeding eye virus can be transmitted from human to human and can cause fatal symptoms, leading to death in 50 percent of the cases. One of the typical symptoms of the disease is bleeding of the eyes and hence it is termed as the bleeding eye disease.
Marburg is spreading in multiple countries, according to the UK Department of Health’s site, Travel Health Pro. There have been 66 illnesses and 15 deaths in Rwanda, according to the CDC, but many more may be infected.
Marburg is a rare but “severe hemorrhagic fever that can cause serious illness and death,” the U.S. Centers for Disease Control says, adding that there is no treatment or vaccine for it. But, if detected early, supportive care with rehydration and symptomatic treatment improves survival, according to the Africa CDC.As per data provided by the World Health Organisation (WHO), MVD which typically causes bleeding eye syndrome was earlier known as Marburg hemorrhagic fever. It presents itself in majority cases as a fatal illness in humans. The average mortality rate in the disease is around 50%. However this has varied in different outbreaks from 24% to 88%.ALSO READ: Deadliest bleeding eye virus has killed 15 people so far: Check its symptoms, causes, vaccine and precautions
Which countries are severely affected due to Marburg virus?
There are two kinds of viruses that spread Mpox, the CDC says: Clade I and Clade II. Clade I is spreading in Africa, Canada, Europe — and on November 15, the CDC says a case of Mpox was identified in California that was connected to the outbreak in Africa.
Since January, there have been more than 21,000 confirmed cases of both types of Mpox, the CDC says. It’s transmitted by close contact with infected individuals, or by contact with contaminated objects.
Origin of Bleeding eye disease
According to WHO, the viral infection was first detected in 1967 when two outbreaks simultaneously happened in Marburg and Frankfurt in Germany, and in Belgrade, Serbia. Like Covid-19 initially, this outbreak is also said to have its origin in the laboratory while working with African green monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops) imported from Uganda.
Since then occasional cases have been reported year after year in countries like Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa (in a person with recent travel history to Zimbabwe), Tanzania and Uganda.
As per data, the initial Marbug human infections were the result of prolonged exposure to mines or caves inhabited by Rousettus fruit bat colonies. But once transmitted to the human population, Marburg virus can spread through human-to-human transmission via direct contact (through broken skin or mucous membranes) with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people, and with surfaces and materials (e.g. bedding, clothing) contaminated with these fluids.
ALSO READ: Delhi reports first case of Japanese Encephalitis: check symptoms of this viral disease
Symptoms of Marburg virus
According to the data provided by the WHO, the incubation period (interval from infection to onset of symptoms) varies from 2 to 21 days.
MVD begins abruptly, with high fever, severe headache and severe malaise. Muscle aches and pains are a common feature. Severe watery diarrhoea, abdominal pain and cramping, nausea and vomiting can begin on the third day. Non-itchy rash have been reported in patients between two and seven days after onset of symptoms.
From fifth day of the disease, patients may develop haemorrhagic manifestations, including fresh blood in vomitus and faeces, and bleeding from the nose, gums and vagina. Bleeding at venepuncture sites (where intravenous access is obtained to give fluids or obtain blood samples) can also be observed. Involvement of the central nervous system can result in confusion, irritability and aggression. Orchitis (inflammation of one or both testicles) has been reported occasionally in the late phase of disease.
In fatal cases, death occurs most often between 8 and 9 days after symptom onset, usually preceded by severe blood loss and shock.
Treatment and vaccines of Bleeding eye disease
Early intensive supportive care including rehydration and treatment of specific symptoms, can improve survival.
Currently there are no vaccines or antiviral treatments approved for MVD.–
There are candidate monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and antivirals, along with candidate vaccines that can be evaluated in clinical trials.
