Marburg virus, hemorrhagic fever, is an uncommon disease that affects both human and non-human primates. Marburg virus is a member of the filovirus family. The filovirus family of viruses only has five other members, all Ebola viruses.
Marburg virus was named after Marburg, Germany. In 1967 the city of Marburg was one of three cities where the virus was first officially recognized. Since 1967 there has been just under 450 cases and their have been 367 fatalities.
The original group of people infected with Marburg virus had exposure to the imported African green monkey and some had contact with the monkey's tissues. These monkeys were shipped from the country of Uganda. The symptoms of Marburg virus can take up to 10 days to appear. Once there is an onset of symptoms the virus comes on strong causing high fever, chills, muscle pain and headaches.
A distinguishing feature of Marburg virus is the rash that takes 5 days to appear from the first symptoms. This rash will be predominantly present on the chest, back and abdominal region of the body. Symptoms from Marburg virus will intensify culminating in liver failure, delusions and shock. The symptoms of Marburg virus are often confused with those of malaria or typhoid fever, especially if this is the first case in an out break, or an isolated diagnosis.
There is no specific treatment for Marburg virus. The hospital can begin plasma transfusions and help with maintenance of proper fluids and body functions. Marburg virus is rare but highly contagious. More often that not, the people closest to the patient and their medical caregivers become infected with Marburg virus as well. Official barrier nursing techniques should be utilized when handling these patients. The means care givers, among other things, wearing gowns, gloves and a mask when in contact with a Marburg virus patient.