New Delhi: Two cases of the deadly Marburg virus have been confirmed in Ghana. This is the first time that cases of Ebola-like virus are found in the West African country.
The health services in the country confirmed that the positive blood samples taken from the southern region of the state and were tested in Senegal.
According to The Guardian, there is currently no vaccine or medicine available for the Marburg virus, nor is there any cure for it.
The virus can be spread by infectious animals such as bats. The confirmation of this disease has raised concerns after the Coronavirus epidemic.
If you’re wondering about the possibility of another global outbreak, or if you should be worried for your loved ones and yourself, here we have brought answers to 5 major queries about the virus.
1. How Deadly is Marburg Virus Disease (MVD)?
According to the Center for Disease Control, the Marburg virus has a mortality rate between 23-90 percent. Though, MVD is rarely seen in humans with very fewer cases across the world.
2. Symptoms
The incubation period of MVD can last from 2 – 21 days. Fever, chills, headache and muscle pain are major symptoms. In some cases, red spots on body, especially on chest, back and stomach are observed. There may also be dizziness, vomiting, chest pain, swelling of the throat, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
3. Why is it called Marburg virus?
As per Britannica.com, the virus is named after the city of Marburg, which had the maximum number of MVD cases during the 1967 pandemic. The RAVV virus of Marburg disease was found in a 15-year-old Danish boy in Kenya in 1987.
4. Similarities between Marburg and Ebola
Marburg and Ebola are different from each other, but they can have similar symptoms. However, Ebola is considered to be more dangerous and contagious.
5. How to protect against Marburg virus?
In case of a Marburg outbreak, individuals should wear PPE kit with strict use of gloves and masks. The infected person should be kept in strict isolation and the equipment used with the patient should be properly diagnosed and sterilized. It is advisable to stay away from animals.
