By Haitham Mekkawi M.D.
This virus was first documented in 1967, when 37 people became ill in the German town of Marburg, after which it is named, as well as in Frankfurt am Main and the then Yugoslavian city of Belgrade. The outbreak involved 25 primary infections, with 7 deaths, and 6 secondary cases, with no deaths.
The primary infections were in laboratory staff exposed to the Marburg virus while working with to African green monkeys or their tissues.Green Monkey fever was the first name of Marburg hemorrhagic fever
When it was first recognized in 1967, when outbreaks of hemorrhagic fever occurred simultaneously in laboratories in Marburg and Frankfurt , Germany and in Belgrade, Yugoslavia (now Serbia).A total of 37 people became ill; (31 primary infection) (6 secondary infection) they included laboratory workers as well as several medical personnel and family members who had cared for them.
The first people infected had been exposed to African green monkeys or their tissues. In Marburg, the monkeys had been imported for research and to prepare polio vaccine.
The secondary cases involved two doctors, a nurse, a post-mortem attendant, and the wife of a veterinarian. All secondary cases had direct contact, usually involving blood, with a primary case. Both doctors became infected through accidental skin pricks when drawing blood from patients.In 1975, three people in Johannesburg city of South African were infected by the Marburg virus by a man returning from Zimbabwe, resulting in one death.
Two similar cases in 1980 and 1987 occurred in Kenya after European visitors went to Kitum Cave. Both later died. The next major outbreak occurred in the Democratic Republic of Congo from 1998 to 2000, where 128 of 154 cases were fatal. This outbreak originated with miners in Durba and Watsa in Orientale, Congo.Marburg hemorrhagic fever is a rare, severe type of hemorrhagic fever which affects both humans and non-human primates.
Caused by a genetically unique zoonotic (that is, animal-borne) RNA virus of the filovirus family, its recognition led to the creation of this virus family. The four species of Ebola virus are the only other known members of the filovirus family.
The way the disease is transmitted to Human is not fully understood but Bats are suspected to some outbreaks in Africa.
Like Ebola There is no specific antiviral therapy indicated for treating Marburg, and hospital care is usually supportive in nature.
Hypotension and shock may require early administration of vasopressors and haemodynamic monitoring with attention to fluid and electrolyte balance, circulatory volume, and blood pressure.
Viral haemorrhagic fever (VHF) patients tend to respond poorly to fluid infusions and may develop pulmonary edema.
Caregivers require barrier infection control measures including double gloves, impermeable gowns, face shields, eye protection, leg and shoe coverings.