Marburg virus outbreak: 6 died in Rwanda, what is this deadly infection? Should India be concerned?

Rwanda’s Health Minister, Sabin Nsanzimana, announced on Saturday, that six people have died following a plague of the Marburg virus. Currently, around 20 patients, mostly healthcare workers, are receiving treatment. Authorities are actively working to trace and test individuals who may come into contact with those infected.

Let’s understand what's this deadly infection causing stir in Rwanda.

What's Marburg virus?

Marburg viral disease is an awfully contagious infection, a lot like Ebola. Which is able to guide to severe hemorrhagic fever and has a mortality rate that may maybe reach upto 88%. It first occurred in 1967 and has led to deadly outbreaks in Marburg, Frankfurt, Germany, Belgaria, Serbia.

The suspected host of the virus is believed to be African fruit bat, carrying pathogen without showing symptoms. Transmission can occur from bats to primates, including humans after which spread through direct contact with blood or bodily fluids of infected individuals.

Signs and Symptoms

Patients tormented by Marburg virus may experience:

• Muscle pain
• high fever
• intense headache
• severe malaise
• severe watery diarrohea
• abdominal pain
• cramping
• nausea
• vomiting

Is there any treatment?

Currently, there are is cure for the Marburg viral disease. On the opposite hand, certain experimental therapies are going on to in finding the antiviral treatment of this virus.

Should Indians be Worried?

Talking to IANS, Dr Dr Sushila Kataria, Director, of Internal Medicine, Medanta, Gurugram said that the virus has been contained and there may maybe be no should fret for Indians. “The virus has already been contained, so there may maybe be no need for Indians to fret. Additionally, if strict precautions to manipulate infections are taken and followed, then the spread will even be controlled. The disease’s spread is limited because 30-80 per cent of those infected die. The virus can spread through bats, their urine, and/or their excretions. Which is able to also spread through direct contact with infected people’s blood, secretions, organs, or other bodily fluids, as well as through contaminated surfaces and materials. Fortunately, it doesn’t spread throughout the air, restricting its spread.”