What is Marburg virus? Symptoms, treatment, more

Marburg virus disease has killed 11 people and sickened 25 others in Rwanda, which declared an outbreak on September 27.

Like Ebola, the rare but very serious disease can be fatal in up to 88% of people who become ill depending on the viral strain and case management.

That’s why German authorities closed two tracks at Hamburg’s main train station on October 2 after two train passengers were suspected of carrying the virus. Both were negative.

Rwanda has confirmed 36 cases since October 2, including at least 19 in health care workers, most of whom work in intensive care units.

Some cases are of unknown origin, suggesting that other cases may not have been detected or reported, according to a health alert issued Oct. 3 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

This is the first time the disease has been reported in Rwanda.

“WHO assesses the risk of this outbreak as very high at the national level, high at the regional level and low at the global level,” the World Health Organization said on September 30.

Here’s everything you need to know about Marburg virus disease as the outbreak continues in Rwanda.

What is Marburg virus disease?

Marburg virus disease, also known as Marburg hemorrhagic fever, is most commonly found in sub-Saharan Africa.

The disease, first discovered in 1967 after outbreaks in Germany and Serbia, is caused by the Marburg or Ravn virus, which are classified as orthomarburgviruses.

Orthomarburgviruses occur naturally in the Egyptian rosette bat. Cave-dwelling fruit bats, which make their home throughout Africa and the Middle East, can spread the disease to humans and animals through their droppings.

Symptoms, which include fever, rash and heavy bleeding, can appear suddenly and worsen rapidly. There is no treatment for Marburg, and the infection often leads to serious illness or death.

How it spreads

Animals can contract Marburg by eating fruit on which bats have been fed or by being bitten by an infected bat.

People can become ill from contact with infected animals or needles, objects or surfaces contaminated with the virus.

Marburg is spread through contAct with body fluids—blood, urine, saliva, sweat, feces, vomit, breast milk, amniotic fluid, or semen—of someone infected with the virus through broken skin or the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, or mouth.

Marburg is not an air sickness.

Symptoms

Marburg patients usually start experiencing symptoms two to 21 days after exposure. Symptoms initially appear flu-like, but can progress to liver failure, hemorrhage, and multi-organ dysfunction.

• fever
• Headache
• Chills
• Muscle, chest and joint pain
• Sore throat
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Rash with flat and raised bumps, often on the torso
• Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
• Unexplained bleeding

Treatment

The US Food and Drug Administration has not approved a Marburg vaccine or treatment.

Early supportive care, including rest, hydration, oxygen and blood pressure management, and treatment of secondary infections, can improve the chances of survival.

In fatal cases, death tends to occur eight or nine days after the onset of symptoms and severe blood loss and stroke.