In News:

The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed Ethiopia’s first-ever outbreak of Marburg Virus Disease (MVD), with nine laboratory-confirmed cases reported from Jinka town in the South Ethiopia Region. This marks a significant expansion of the geographical spread of the virus, previously limited mostly to central and eastern Africa.

What is Marburg Virus Disease?

• A severe, highly fatal hemorrhagic fever caused by:
  • Marburg virus (MARV)
  • Ravn virus (RAVV)
• Both belong to the species Orthomarburgvirusmarburgense, within the Filoviridae family.
• It is clinically similar to Ebola, the only other filovirus known to infect humans.
• Case fatality rate (CFR): up to 88%

History and Origin

• First identified during simultaneous outbreaks in 1967 in:
  • Marburg (Germany)
  • Frankfurt (Germany)
  • Belgrade (Serbia)
• Outbreaks initially linked to laboratory exposure to infected African green monkeys.

Natural Reservoir

• The natural host is believed to be the Rousettus aegyptiacus fruit bat (Egyptian rousette), from the Pteropodidae family.
• These bats can carry the virus without showing signs of illness.

Transmission

• Primary transmission (animal to human): Direct exposure to fruit bats or their droppings.
• Secondary transmission (human to human): Direct contact with:
  • Blood, saliva, vomit, urine, or sweat of infected persons
  • Contaminated surfaces, clothing, or medical equipment
• Burial practices involving contact with the body increase spread.

Geographical Spread

• Most outbreaks occur in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Reported inTanzania, Uganda, Angola, Kenya, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, South Africa, Congo, and Equatorial Guinea

Genetic analysis indicates Ethiopia's strain is similar to previous East African outbreaks.

Symptoms of Marburg Virus Disease

• Early Stage: High fever, Severe headache, Muscle aches, Fatigue
• Advanced Stage (within a week)

• Severe bleeding (internal and external)
• Multi-organ failure
• Liver dysfunction
• Shock
• Death typically within 8–9 days of symptom onset

Treatment and Prevention

• No approved antiviral treatment or vaccine currently exists.
• Supportive therapy is the only effective option:
  • IV/oral rehydration
  • Electrolyte balancing
  • Treating secondary infections
  • Maintaining oxygen and blood pressure
• Early supportive care improves survival but remains limited.

Current Response in Ethiopia

National authorities, with WHO support, are implementing:

• Case isolation
• Contact tracing
• Community-wide screening
• Public awareness campaigns
• Deployment of medical supplies and emergency teams

The focus is on containing transmission and preventing cross-border spread.

Why is it in the News?

The Kitum cave in Mount Elgon National Park, Kenya, is known as the world's deadliest cave which may have some really dangerous viruses inside, like Ebola and Marburg.

What is Marburg Virus Disease (MVD)?

• Marburg virus disease (MVD), formerly known as Marburg hemorrhagic fever, is a severe, often fatal illness in humans.
• It affects both people and non-human primates.
• Marburg and Ebola viruses are both members of the Filoviridae family (filovirus).
• Though caused by different viruses, the two diseases are clinically similar.
  • Both diseases are rare and can cause outbreaks with high fatality rates.
  • The average MVD case fatality rate is around 50%.
• Rousettus aegyptiacus, fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family, are considered to be natural hosts of the Marburg virus.

Transmission:

• Human infection with MVD typically occurs after prolonged exposure to Rousettus bats inhabiting mines or caves.
• The virus can then spread through human-to-human transmission via direct contact with infected bodily fluids, contaminated materials, or broken skin and mucous membranes.

Symptoms:

• After an incubation period of 2-21 days, symptoms arise abruptly, including fever, chills, headache, and muscle pain.
• A maculopapular rash may appear around day five, most visible on the chest, back, and stomach.
• Other symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, chest pain, sore throat, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, can manifest, with severity increasing to potentially include jaundice, organ dysfunction, severe weight loss, delirium, and massive hemorrhaging.
• The average MVD case fatality rate is around 50%, varying between 24% and 88% in past outbreaks.

Treatment:

• There is currently no specific treatment for MVD, but early supportive care involving rehydration and symptom management improves survival rates.

Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers (VHFs):

• Viral Hemorrhagic Fever (VHFs) is a group of diseases caused by several distinct families of viruses that affect multiple organ systems in the body.
• These illnesses range from mild to severe and life-threatening, with many having no known cure or vaccine.
• VHFs negatively impact the cardiovascular system and reduce overall bodily function.