First Case Of Ebola-like Marburg Virus Found In West Africa: How Potentially Spread?

Ilustrasi (National Cancer Institute/Unsplash)

JAKARTA - Health officials of the Republic of Guinea, have confirmed the first case of Marburg disease in West Africa. This disease is said to be highly contagious. This virus is also said to be from the same family as the virus that causes Ebola.

The World Health Organization (WHO) says the virus needs to stop. Marburg disease is transmitted to humans from fruit bats and is spread between humans by transmission of bodily fluids.

Cases of people with Marburg's disease are actually very rare. The last recorded major outbreak in Angola was in 2005.

Marburg as quoted by the BBC, is a severe disease, often fatal. Symptoms include headache, fever, muscle aches, vomiting blood and bleeding.

Health experts say there is no cure for this disease. But drinking plenty of water and treating certain symptoms can increase a patient's chances of survival.

Samples taken from patients killed in Guinea were tested in the country's laboratory. The results showed the patient was positive for the Marburg virus.

The virus was identified in Gueckedou last week. It is the same area where Ebola cases were found in the now-ending outbreak.

Spread potential

WHO Africa director Dr Matshidiso Moeti said the virus had the potential to "spread far and wide". While he praised the vigilance and swift investigative action by Guinean health workers.

Attempts to trace people who may have been in contact with the deceased have been made. Doctor Krutika Kuppali, who is following the investigation, told the BBC that there were four people in close contact including a health worker, in addition to 146 others who might be at risk of passing.

The system implemented in Guinea and neighboring countries to control the Ebola outbreak was recently reinstated in response to the Marburg virus.

The Marburg outbreak first occurred in Germany in 1967. At least seven people died from the disease. Meanwhile, in 2005 when the outbreak in Angola, Marburg killed more than 200 people.