People Should Not Visit Marburg Virus Infected Countries

Illustration of traveling (Pixabay)

JAKARTA - Epidemiologist Siti Nadia Tarmizi advised the public not to visit the country with Marburg disease as an effort to protect against diseases with malaria-like symptoms. Including not visiting sick people in infected areas. Until now, Indonesia has not reported a case of Marburg disease originating from Equatorial Guinea. "After returning (from abroad) if there are symptoms, immediately go to health facilities," Nadia said in an electronic message received by Antara, Jakarta, Monday, April 3. In addition, the Head of the Communication and Public Service Bureau of the Ministry of Health also asked the public to wash their hands and not eat half-cooked food. The disease caused by the Marburg virus (filovirus), which is still one family with the Ebola Virus, is transmitted through direct contact with people or animals infected or through objects contaminated by the Marburg Virus. The World Health Organization (WHO) on March 13 received reports of Marburg cases of Equatorial Guinea. They recorded nine deaths and 16 suspected cases reported in Kie Ntem Province. Symptoms experienced by patients are fever, fatigue, bleeding vomiting and diarrhea. The Ministry of Health stated that these symptoms are similar to other diseases such as malaria, tyfusion and dengue fever, causing Marburg disease to be difficult to identify. Symptoms of Marburg virus disease can appear suddenly, with high fever, severe headache, severe malaise, and muscle aches. On the third day, a person can experience severe watery diarrhea, stomach pain, cramps, nausea and vomiting with diarrhea that can last for a week. In addition, in this phase a person can be seen to have a concave eye. In two to seven days after the onset of symptoms, a no-itching rash can arise. Severe symptoms in the form of bleeding can occur on the fifth to seventh day, and in fatal cases bleeding occurs in several areas. Bleeding can occur in the nose, gums, and vagina and can come out through vomiting and on the feces. During the severe disease phase, patients experience high fever, and disorders in the central nervous system so they can experience confusion and anger easily. Orchiths have been reported sometimes in the final phase of the disease (15 days). In fatal cases, the most common deaths between eight and nine days after symptoms, are usually preceded by severe blood loss and shock. There is currently no vaccine available for the Marburg virus. The treatment that can be done is symptomatic and supportive, namely treating complications and maintaining liquid and electrolyte balance.