Marburg Virus – UPSC Prelims

Marburg Virus:
  • Marburg virus disease(MVD) was formerly known as Marburg haemorrhagic fever.
  • The virus causes haemorrhagic fever and belongs to the same family (Filoviridae family) as the Ebola virus.
  • First Case: The virus was initially detected in 1967 after simultaneous outbreaks in Marburg and Frankfurt in Germany; and in Belgrade, Serbia.
  • Symptoms: The common symptoms of a virus are fever, headache, fatigue, abdominal pain and gingival haemorrhage.
  • Transmission: Marburg is transmitted to people from fruit bats. The virus spreads among humans through direct contact with the bodily fluids of the patient, surfaces and materials
  • Fatality Rate: The case fatality rate is around 50%. Case fatality rates have varied from 24% to 88% in past outbreaks, depending on virus strain and case management.
  • Treatment: There are no approved vaccines or antiviral treatments for the virus yet. Early supportive care with rehydration and symptomatic treatment improves survival.
Scroll to Top