Marburg variant

=Marburg Variant = The Marburg variant is a rare and highly infectious disease caused by the Marburg virus, a member of the Filoviridae family, which also includes the Ebola virus. This disease is characterized by severe hemorrhagic fever in humans and non-human primates.

History

The Marburg virus was first identified in 1967 during outbreaks in Marburg and Frankfurt, Germany, and in Belgrade, Yugoslavia (now Serbia). These outbreaks were linked to laboratory work using African green monkeys imported from Uganda. The disease was named after the city of Marburg, where the first cases were identified.

Transmission

Marburg virus is transmitted to humans from fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family and spreads among humans through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals, contaminated surfaces, and materials. The virus can also be transmitted through sexual contact with a person who has recovered from the disease.

Symptoms

The incubation period for Marburg virus disease (MVD) ranges from 2 to 21 days. Initial symptoms include:

• High fever
• Severe headache
• Muscle pain

As the disease progresses, patients may experience:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Hemorrhagic manifestations (bleeding from gums, nose, and other orifices)

In severe cases, the disease can lead to multi-organ dysfunction and death.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing Marburg virus disease requires laboratory testing, as its symptoms are similar to other infectious diseases such as malaria, typhoid fever, and other viral hemorrhagic fevers. Diagnostic methods include:

• Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
• Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)
• Virus isolation

Treatment

There is no specific antiviral treatment for Marburg virus disease. Supportive care, including rehydration with oral or intravenous fluids, and treatment of specific symptoms, improves survival. Experimental treatments, such as monoclonal antibodies and antiviral drugs, are being evaluated.

Prevention

Preventive measures focus on reducing the risk of bat-to-human transmission and human-to-human transmission. These include:

• Avoiding contact with fruit bats and their habitats
• Using protective equipment when caring for infected individuals
• Implementing safe burial practices

Research

Research is ongoing to develop vaccines and specific treatments for Marburg virus disease. Several vaccine candidates are in various stages of development and testing.

See Also

• Ebola virus disease
• Viral hemorrhagic fever
• Filoviridae
• World Health Organization. "Marburg virus disease." Retrieved from [WHO website](https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/marburg-virus-disease).
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Marburg Hemorrhagic Fever." Retrieved from [CDC website](https://www.cdc.gov/vhf/marburg/index.html).

NIH genetic and rare disease info

• NIH info on Marburg variant

Marburg variant is a rare disease.