Marburg Virus – Reservoir, Mode of transmission, Incubation Period, Symptom, Laboratory Diagnosis, Treatment

Marburg Virus

• It is an another emerging zoonotic infectious disease that causes great concern.
• It belongs to Filoviridae family.
• It is formerly known as Marburg haemorrhagic fever (MHF).
• The rare virus was first identified in 1967 after it caused simultaneous outbreaks of disease in laboratories in Marburg, Germany and Belgrade, Serbia.
• Seven people died who were exposed to the virus while conducting research on monkeys.
• MHF is characterized by systemic viral replication, immunosuppression and abnormal inflammatory responses.
• Without treatment, Marburg can be fatal in up to 88% of people.
• It contain RNA as the genetic material.
• It is a Biosafety level 4 pathogen.
• First outbreak occurred in 1967 in Germany.
• They are pleomorphic in shape.

Reservoir

• Rousettus aegyptiacus African fruit bats
• Fruit bats infected with Marburg virus do not show obvious signs of illness.
• Primates (including people) can become infected with Marburg virus, and may develop serious disease with high mortality.
• Further study is needed to determine if other species may also host the virus.

Mode of transmission

• Direct contact with infected bats, persons or their body fluids.
• Consumption of fruits contaminated with saliva or urine of infected bats.
• Many patients develop severe haemorrhagic symptoms within seven days.
• Human-to-human transmission is possible through direct contact with bodily fluids, surfaces and materials.
• Incubation Period

● 5-10 days.

Symptom

• Fever, Chills, Severe Head ache, Discomfort.
• Many patients develop severe haemorrhagic symptoms within seven days.
• Symptoms become increasingly severe and can include jaundice.
• Inflammation of the pancreas, severe weight loss, delirium.
• Shock, liver failure, massive hemorrhaging, and multi-organ dysfunction.

Laboratory Diagnosis

• Real-time PCR
• Antibody detection by ELISA (IgG & IgM)
• Serum Neutralization Test
• Electron microscopy
• Virus isolation by cell culture
• All biological specimens should be packaged using the triple packaging system when transported nationally and internationally.

Treatment

• Vaccine & antiviral drugs are not available.
• Supportive hospital therapy should be utilized, which includes balancing the patient's fluids and electrolytes, maintaining oxygen status.
• Blood pressure, replacing lost blood and clotting factors, and treatment for any complicating infection.
• Experimental treatments are validated in non-human primate models but have never been tried in humans.