After the Ebola outbreak, Guinea has a highly deadly disease, Marburg virus disease, WHO provides support

Recently, the official website of the World Health Organization stated that after the first death of Marburg Virus occurred in Guinea, a West African country , the agency is providing support to the country
.

Two months ago, Guinea just announced the end of the Ebola epidemic that caused 12 deaths this year

(Marburg Virus)

WHO Director-General Tan Desai said that the Ministry of Health of Guinea reported the case to the organization last Friday
.

 

WHO is supporting the authorities in investigating the source of the epidemic, tracing contacts, and disseminating protection measures to local communities
.

Tedros said at a press conference in Geneva today: “About 150 contacts have been identified and they are being traced.

The WHO stated that there is currently no effective treatment for Marburg virus disease and its vaccine is under development, but oral or intravenous fluids and treatments for specific symptoms can improve survival
.

 

For Marburg virus disease, there is currently no effective treatment, and its vaccine is under development, but oral or intravenous fluids and treatments for specific symptoms can improve survival

Marburg virus is one of the most dangerous viruses known
.

A serious and highly fatal disease that can infect blood, liver and skin cells and spread rapidly and powerfully in the human body.

A serious and highly fatal disease that can infect blood, liver and skin cells and spread rapidly and powerfully in the human body.

The virus is spread to others through the blood, urine, or saliva of an infected person.
This is why close contacts and caregivers can become infected
.

The virus does not stay outside the body for a long time, therefore, infection by droplets in the air is extremely rare

The virus is named after an idyllic town on the banks of the Lahn River in Hessen, Germany.
The reason is that it was first discovered there: in 1967, in Marburg, Frankfurt and Belgrade, the capital of the former Yugoslavia.
A laboratory employee was also infected with the virus by a monkey imported from Uganda
.

 

Color transmission electron micrograph of Marburg virus particles (blue) harvested from the supernatant of infected VERO E6 cells

Various bats and fruit bats are likely to be natural hosts of Marburg virus and Ebola virus
.

The virus is spread to monkeys or humans through contact or contact with body fluids

Two large-scale Marburg outbreaks occurred simultaneously in laboratories in Marburg, Germany and Belgrade, the capital of the former Yugoslavia, and the disease was subsequently recognized for the first time in 1967
.

Previously, Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, South Africa and Uganda had also reported Marburg outbreaks and sporadic cases
.
 

According to the World Health Organization, the most recent case of Marburg fever was found in a village in the province of Guéckédou in southern Guinea
.
The Ebola virus outbreak from 2013 to 2016 started in this area
.
So far, there have been no cases of Marburg fever in Guinea and the entire West Africa region
.
 

According to the WHO, the infected person was initially treated at the local hospital, but his condition deteriorated and a medical investigation team was dispatched to the hospital
.
However, a week after the first symptoms appeared, the sick man passed away
.
The sample was negative for Ebola virus and positive for Marburg virus
.
 

A team of 10 people from WHO has rushed to the local area to provide support for the implementation of emergency measures and conduct tests among the people
.
The organization said that three relatives and one medical staff of the deceased were identified as high-risk cases, and their health conditions were monitored
.
In addition, a total of 155 contacts are also monitored daily
.
 

However, so far, no suspected cases of Marburg virus crossing the border have been found
.
The neighboring countries of Guinea have also entered a state of alert
.
Matshidiso Moeti, the director of the WHO African Region, said that Marburg virus has the potential for "widespread", but based on the analysis of the current situation, the risk of the virus epidemic in Guinea and nearby areas is "high", and the global risk is "low.
" "
.
 

WHO appreciates the "vigilance and rapid investigation" of the health authorities in Guinea
.
Morty revealed that in controlling the virus, the WHO has benefited from "Guinea's experience and expertise in dealing with Ebola, which is spread in a similar way
.
"

In terms of controlling the virus, WHO is using "Guinea’s experience and expertise in responding to Ebola" 

Virology expert Becker also praised the professional practices of relevant personnel in Guinea: “Due to the last Ebola outbreak, Guinea seems to be fully prepared
.
They responded very quickly.
They studied in Dakar Pasteur.
With the help of the Institute (Institut Pasteur), the virus can be quickly identified," so that people can quickly take quarantine measures
.
A lot of things have been done there, and this is good news
.
It is hoped that this can contain the epidemic relatively early
.
" 

Is there a targeted vaccine? 

The Marburg virus vaccine has not yet been approved
.
According to Deutsche Welle, citing Professor Stephan Becker, Director of the Institute of Virology at the University of Marburg in Germany, there are related vaccines.
"It is not difficult to develop a vaccine against Marburg fever.
Several vaccines have shown good results in animal trials.
, But so far, there are no clinical studies required for approval
.
" 

 Compared with the SARS-CoV2 coronavirus, it lacks the political will and economic motivation to develop a Marburg virus vaccine
.
Virologist Dr.
Becker pointed out: "It is exactly the same as the situation of Ebola virus in 2013.

We worked with many others to implement Phase I clinical studies quickly, and then completed Phase II and Phase III studies in West Africa.

The vaccine is indeed very good.
In
2018, Merck Pharmaceuticals produced hundreds of thousands of doses for the Ebola virus outbreak in Congo
.
" During this time, the vaccine was approved for marketing
.
 

Professor Becker pointed out, “For Marburg virus, there is a very similar vaccine, which may even be better than the Ebola virus vaccine
.
In monkeys, this vaccine is effective even after infection, so it can even be used as a treatment.
Sex vaccination
.
Perhaps the reason is that Marburg virus multiplies more slowly than Ebola virus
.
" 

He believes that once the necessary clinical research and approval are completed, as long as there is a willingness, the Marburg virus vaccine can be quickly put into production
.
The German virologist also said that since Marburg virus and Ebola virus are very similar, mixed vaccination can also be considered
.
He said: "Yes, that would be ideal
.
This has been tried in animal experiments and the effect is very good
.
" 

How to treat? 

Because of the high risk of infection, infected people usually have to be treated in an intensive care unit and isolated
.
So far, doctors can only treat symptoms, infusion to prevent fluid loss, use electrolytes to replace blood salts, and use glucose to regulate sugar balance
.
In addition, use other drugs to stabilize blood pressure, reduce fever, or stop diarrhea or vomiting
.
If major bleeding occurs, the patient is given blood reserves and clotting factors
.
 

The WHO believes that at present, Remdesivir is recommended for the treatment of Marburg fever, and the evidence is not yet sufficient 

Professor Becker believes that drugs that are also used for the COVID-19 coronavirus disease should be considered: “For example, remdesivir was originally developed for the Ebola virus, and the polymerase that causes the viral RNA to multiply is in Marburg.
The virus is relatively similar to the Ebola virus, so it is conceivable that Remdesivir can also fight against Marburg virus
.
” The virologist said that of course antibodies can be considered, but the most effective way to deal with the virus is undoubtedly Get vaccinated
.
 

How to prevent it? 

The preventive measures for Marburg virus infection have not yet been clarified, because the transmission from wild animals to humans is still an area of ​​ongoing research
.
However, avoiding fruit bats and sick non-human primates in Central Africa is a way to prevent infection
.
Measures to prevent secondary or interpersonal transmission are similar to those used for other hemorrhagic fevers
.
If a patient with Marburg haemorrhagic fever is suspected or diagnosed, barrier care technology should be adopted to prevent direct physical contact with the patient
.
These preventive measures include wearing protective clothing, gloves, and masks; placing the infected person in strict isolation; disinfection or proper disposal of needles, equipment, and patient excrement
.

Message delivery to reduce risk should focus on the following factors:

Message delivery to reduce risk should focus on the following factors:

Reduce the risk of spreading between bats and humans caused by long-term exposure to mines or caves in the fruit bat habitat
.
Wear gloves and other appropriate protective clothing (including masks) when performing work or research activities or tourist visits in mines or caves where fruit bats inhabit
.

During an outbreak, all animal products (blood and meat) should be thoroughly cooked before consumption
.
Reduce the risk of community-to-human transmission caused by direct or close contact with infected patients, especially contact with their body fluids
.

Close physical contact with Marburg patients should be avoided
.
Wear gloves and appropriate personal protective equipment when caring for patients at home
.
Wash your hands regularly after visiting sick relatives in the hospital and caring for patients at home
.
Communities affected by Marburg should strive to ensure that the population fully understands the nature of the disease itself and the necessary epidemic control measures
.
Epidemic control measures include burying the dead quickly, safely and with dignity, identifying those who may have been in contact with a Marlborough-infected person, and monitoring their health for 21 days, separating healthy people and patients to prevent further spread, and providing assistance to those who have been diagnosed.
Care
.

Need to observe the patient and maintain good hygiene and a clean environment
.
Reduce the risk of possible sexual transmission
.
Based on further analysis of ongoing research, WHO recommends that male survivors of Marburg virus disease should take a safer course within 12 months of onset of symptoms, or until their semen has tested negative for Marburg virus twice.
Sexual behavior and hygiene measures
.
Should avoid contact with body fluids, it is recommended to wash with soap and water
.
WHO does not recommend isolating male or female convalescent patients whose blood has tested negative for Marburg virus
.

Improving the clinical symptoms of Marburg haemorrhagic fever patients in the community and among health care providers is critical
.
Better awareness can lead to earlier and stronger preventive measures to prevent the spread of Marburg virus among family members and healthcare providers
.
Improving the use of diagnostic tools is another priority
.
Using modern transportation, you can even reach remote areas, and it is possible to obtain rapid testing of samples at a disease control center equipped with a biosafety level 4 laboratory
.
To confirm or rule out Marburg virus infection
.

https:// a message here