Green monkey disease

Green monkey disease is a colloquial term for the Marburg virus disease, a highly infectious and lethal disease which is a member of the Filoviridae family, and is related to the Ebola virus. The disease was first recognized in 1967 during outbreaks in Marburg and Frankfurt in Germany, and in Belgrade, Serbia.

Origin

The disease is believed to have originated from African green monkeys imported from Uganda. The monkeys were being used for research and development of polio vaccines. The disease is named after the city of Marburg in Germany, where the first recognized outbreak of the disease occurred.

Transmission

The Marburg virus is transmitted to people from fruit bats and spreads among humans through human-to-human transmission. It can be transmitted through close contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected animals. In humans, the virus can be spread through direct contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people, and with surfaces and materials contaminated with these fluids.

Symptoms

The onset of the disease is sudden, with high fever, severe headache, muscle pain and chills. As the disease progresses, a rash can occur, along with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, chest pain, sore throat, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. In severe cases, the disease can cause impairment of the liver and kidneys, leading to multi-organ failure and death.

Treatment

There is no specific treatment for the Marburg virus disease. Patients are given supportive care, which includes balancing the patient's fluids and electrolytes, maintaining their oxygen status and blood pressure, and treating them for any complicating infections.

Prevention

Prevention of the Marburg virus involves avoiding contact with fruit bats in endemic areas, and practicing good hygiene and infection control practices in healthcare settings. There is currently no licensed vaccine available for the Marburg virus.

See also

• Ebola virus disease
• Viral hemorrhagic fever
• Zoonosis