Marburg virus in circulation, deaths reported: Can it start another pandemic? Read here

Marburg virus disease is spreading in Rwanda and has claimed 6 lives so far. Rwanda’s Minister of Health, Sabin Nsanzimana, revealed that the victims and most of the infected are healthcare workers.
Marburg virus disease is a virulent disease and it causes hemorrhagic fever. In 2023, Marburg virus disease outbreak was reported in Equatorial Guinea.
“We urge Rwandans to remain vigilant and enhance preventive measures by ensuring hygiene, washing with soap, sanitising hands, and avoiding contact with infected individuals,” Rwanda’s Minister of Health, Nsanzimana has urged.On Friday, the Ministry of Health called for heightened preventive measures following the confirmed cases of Marburg virus disease.
The disease was first identified in 1967 in Marburg and Frankfurt in Germany. Rousettus aegyptiacus fruit bats are considered natural hosts for Marburg virus, from which the virus is then transmitted to people.
It spreads through human to human contact via blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people, and with surfaces and materials contaminated with these fluids.
The common symptoms seen in this disease are high fever, severe headache, severe watery diarrhea, abdominal pain and cramping, nausea and vomiting. The incubation period varies from two to 21 days. According to the World Health Organisation, “severe hemorrhagic manifestations appear between five and seven days from symptoms onset, and fatal cases usually have some form of bleeding, often from multiple areas. In fatal cases, death occurs most often between eight and nine days after symptom onset, usually preceded by severe blood loss and shock.”

Is there any treatment available against Marburg disease?

There is no treatment available as of now. “This is why is it important for people showing Marburg-like symptoms to seek care early. Supportive care, including providing adequate hydration, pain management and treatment of symptoms as they arise under professional care remains the safest and most effective way to manage MVD. Treatment of co-infection such as malaria is also crucial for supportive care against MVD,” the WHO says.
Marburg virus disease (MVD) has the potential to spark a pandemic due to its high mortality rate and ability to spread through human-to-human transmission via bodily fluids. However, its pandemic risk is lower compared to more contagious viruses like COVID-19. MVD outbreaks have been limited due to the virus’s confinement to specific regions and rapid containment efforts. While the risk exists, timely response and containment efforts can help prevent Marburg from evolving into a global pandemic.

Has the Marburg virus disease been identified in India?

So far no cases of Marburg virus have been identified in India. ” MARV is classified as a risk group 4 (BSL-4) pathogen and requires high level containment and barrier

protection measures for laboratory personnel, as well as for anyone caring for potentially infected patients or deceased bodies,” the National Centre for Diseases Control (NCDC) had said in a report last year.

How to prevent Marburg disease?

People should wear gloves and protective clothing. During outbreaks all animal products (blood and meat) should be thoroughly cooked before consumption. “Close physical contact with Marburg patients should be avoided. Gloves and appropriate personal protective equipment should be worn when taking care of ill patients at home. Regular hand washing should be performed after visiting sick relatives in hospital, as well as after taking care of ill patients at home,” the NCDC warns.
WHO recommends that male survivors of Marburg virus disease practice safer sex and hygiene for 12 months from onset of symptoms or until their semen twice tests negative for Marburg virus.