Envis Centre, Ministry of Environment & Forest, Govt. of India

Printed Date: Monday, October 14, 2024

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Marburg Virus outbreak in West Africa

 Marburg Virus outbreak in West Africa

 

Guinea confirmed a case of Marburg disease on Monday, the first recorded in West Africa of the lethal virus that's related to Ebola and, like Covid-19, passed from animal hosts to humans. Marburg virus disease (MVD), formerly known as Marburg haemorrhagic fever, is a severe, often fatal illness in humans. Marburg virus is the causative agent of Marburg virus disease (MVD). The virus is carried by bats and has a fatality rate of up to 88 percent, was found in samples taken from a patient who died on 2nd August 2021 in southern Gueckedou prefecture. Marburg virus is usually associated with exposure to caves or mines housing colonies of Rousettus bats. It is spread through contact with body fluids of infected people, or with contaminated surfaces and materials. Although there are no approved vaccines or antiviral treatments, oral or intravenous rehydration and treatment of specific symptoms improve survival rates.

 

Source:

 

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/marburg-virus-disease

 

https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/1st-west-african-case-of-deadly-marburg-virus-detected-who-2506683