The Marburg virus was once again in the spotlight this year, due to the new outbreaks that were recorded in Equatorial Guinea. This virus causes a serious disease called hemorrhagic fever, with symptoms similar to those produced by the Ebola virus. This disease in many cases is very dangerous: its fatality rate is about 50%.
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What symptoms does Marburg virus cause?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Marburg virus disease has an incubation period of between 2 and up to 21 days. That is, this is the period that can pass between infection and the onset of symptoms.
The symptoms start suddenly, and high fever, headache, malaise and muscle pain. On the third day, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting may appear. There may also be a rash on the skin. Early in the disease, diagnosis can be difficult because the symptoms and clinical signs are similar to many other tropical diseases, such as malaria or Ebola virus disease.
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Bleeding problems usually occur 5-7 days after the onset of symptoms. Bleeding occurs, which can occur in different organs of the body. There can be digestive bleeding, from the nose, gums, genitals… In fatal cases, what happens is that there is a great loss of blood, and this causes a situation of shock.
There is no antiviral treatment that cures the disease, and currently only supportive measures are available to treat symptoms, such as oral or intravenous rehydration. Other potential treatments to combat the disease have been studied, but none have yet been approved for this use.
How is it contagious?
Human-to-human transmission of the virus occurs through direct contact of damaged skin or mucous membranes with the blood, secretions or other body fluids of an infected patient. It can also be transmitted through surfaces and objects contaminated with these bodily fluids, such as bedding.
Prevent Marburg virus in children
So far no cases of Marburg virus disease have been reported outside of Equatorial Guinea, but the risk of its spread to other countries can be ruled out. There are currently no restrictions on travel or trade with Equatorial Guinea.
If we are going to make a trip to this country, WHO recommends washing with soap and water and avoiding contact with body fluids as preventive measures. There is currently no vaccine available to prevent Marburg virus disease.
