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Outbreak of new Ebola-like eye-bleeding disease kills 8 in Tanzania; WHO fears it could spread globally as cases increase
The World Health Organization said eight people have died in an outbreak of suspected Marburg disease in a remote part of northern Tanzania. âWe are aware of 9 cases so far, including 8 deaths,â WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a statement. âWe will expect more cases in the coming days as disease surveillance improves.â Read on to know everything about the virus and how to protect yourself from getting infected.
Marburg is a viral hemorrhagic fever that damages blood vessels and causes bleeding.
Suspected cases of Marburg virus have been reported in Tanzaniaâs Kagera region, just months after doctors in neighboring Rwanda issued a warning. Previously identified by the World Health Organization as a âpriority pathogenâ with pandemic potential, it is a extremely serious and often fatal diseaseâWe are aware of 9 cases so far, including 8 deaths.â WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus Said in a statement. âWe will expect more cases in the coming days as disease surveillance improves.â
like ebola Marburg virus originates in fruit bats And spreads between people through close contact with bodily fluids of infected individuals or surfaces such as contaminated sheets. According to experts, there is There is currently no way to fix thisHowever several vaccines and drugs are under development.
WHO said its risk assessment for the suspected outbreak in Tanzania is high at the national and regional level but low at the global level. There was no immediate comment from Tanzanian health officials.
The Marburg outbreak in Rwanda, which was first reported on 27 September, was declared ended on 20 December. Rwandan authorities reported a total of 15 deaths and 66 cases, the majority of whom affected were health workers who had previously handled the patients.
At least five people died in a 2023 outbreak in Marburg, Kagera, which shares the border with Rwanda.
What is Marburg virus?
Marburg is a viral hemorrhagic fever Which damages the blood vessels and causes bleeding. Although it may start like the flu, it often turns into severe vomiting, bleeding, and neurological problems.
Experts say that two related virusesâMarburg virus (MARV) and Raven virus (RAVV)âcause MVD. They are also related to the virus that causes Ebola. Marburg virus disease is a viral hemorrhagic fever, which can damage your blood vessels and cause severe bleeding.
Marburg virus symptoms and signs
Doctors say Marburgâs symptoms occur in two stages â with the first showing symptoms that last five to seven days and include:
- high fever
- feeling cold
- severe headache
- cough
- muscle and joint pain
- sore throat
- rashes
Although you may feel slightly better for a day or two, additional symptoms begin in the second stage, including:
- chest and stomach pain
- vomit
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- weight loss
- bloody stool or vomit
- bleeding from your nose, mouth, eyes, or vagina
- Confusion
Marburg prevention measures
It is important to take precautions to keep yourself safe from the virus, some steps you can take:
- Use protective equipment when caring for someone with the virus. Avoid touching any of their body fluids and wash your hands after contact, even if you wear gloves.
- Use condoms or donât have sex until testing confirms the virus is not present in your semen.
- Avoid contact with anything that has touched infected body fluids
- Avoid touching the body of someone who has died from MVD or use protective equipment if necessary.
- Avoid contact with fruit bats and non-human primates and their habitats
- Meat of wild animals â do not eat wild meat
- Isolate yourself from others if you have Marburg
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extremely serious and often fatal disease
Marburg virus originates in fruit bats
There is currently no way to fix this
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
Marburg is a viral hemorrhagic fever
