The virus cannot be treated with any approved vaccinations or antiviral medications. Survival is improved with supportive care, such as rehydration with oral or intravenous fluids, and treatment of certain symptoms. Various prospective therapies are being assessed, including candidate vaccines with phase 1 evidence, immunological therapies, pharmacological therapies, and blood products.
Today, the first-ever Marburg virus disease epidemic in Equatorial Guinea was confirmed. Following the deaths of at least nine people in the eastern Kie Ntem Province of the nation, preliminary tests revealed that viral hemorrhagic fever was present in one of the samples.
After receiving a warning from a district health official on February 7, Equatorial Guinean health authorities submitted samples to the Institut Pasteur reference laboratory in Senegal with assistance from the World Health Organization (WHO). One of the eight samples examined at the Institut Pasteur was found to be virus-positive. Nine fatalities and 16 probable cases have been documented, with symptoms such as fever, exhaustion, vomit, and diarrhea stained with blood.
There are still more inquiries being made. To track contacts, isolate, and treat those exhibiting symptoms of the disease, advance teams have been sent to the afflicted districts. In order to support the national response operations and ensure community involvement in outbreak control, the WHO has deployed health emergency professionals in epidemiology, case management, infection prevention, laboratory, and risk communication. Also, WHO is enabling the delivery of laboratory glove tents for sample testing and one viral haemorrhagic fever kit with 500 health workers’ worth of personal protective equipment.
“Marburg is really contagious. The emergency response can immediately ramp up so that we can save lives and stop the virus as soon as possible because of the swift and decisive action taken by the Equatorial Guinean authorities in verifying the sickness, according to Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa.
Haemorrhagic fever is a symptom of the extremely virulent Marburg virus disease, which has a fatality rate of up to 88%. It belongs to the same family as the Ebola virus family of pathogens. The Marburg virus causes sudden onset illness characterized by a high fever, excruciating headaches, and excruciating malaise. During seven days, many individuals experience severe hemorrhagic signs. The virus is disseminated among humans through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals, surfaces, and objects. It is transferred to humans from fruit bats.
The virus cannot be treated with any approved vaccinations or antiviral medications. Survival is improved with supportive care, such as rehydration with oral or intravenous fluids, and treatment of certain symptoms. A variety of prospective therapies are being assessed, including candidate vaccines with phase 1 evidence, immunological therapies, pharmacological therapies, and blood products.
