In Hamburg, the discovery of potential cases of Marburg virus required the isolation of two railway tracks. This viral disease, related to Ebola, spreads quickly and presents serious symptoms. What impact could it have on public health and how can we protect ourselves effectively?
At Hamburg station, two tracks were isolated due to the arrival of two people from Rwandasusceptible to infection with the Marburg virus. The disease due to virus Marburg is a viral hemorrhagic fever caused by a virus from the same family as that responsible for Ebola. Here are the symptoms it causes and its modes of transmission.
The disease at virus Marburg is a very serious viral infection and is one of the hemorrhagic feverslike Ebola. Although these two diseases are caused by different viruses, they both belong to the same family of RNA viruses: Filoviridae.
On October 2, 2024, two tracks at the Hamburg station, Germany, were placed under lockdown due to suspicion that two passengers arriving from the German station were positive for the virus. The two suspected cases, a medical student and his girlfriend, arrived from Rwandawhere an outbreak of the disease had recently affected 36 people11 of whom died.
The disease, which can also be transmitted from man to maninitially manifests with nonspecific symptoms such as high fever, abdominal pain, and general malaise, but can progress to hemorrhagic fever and other complications.
How is the Marburg virus transmitted?
The virus Marburg was first isolated in 1967 in the city of the same name, after two outbreaks affected laboratories in Marburg and Frankfurt, Germany, as well as in Belgrade, Serbia.
Regarding the methods of transmissioninfection, according to the Higher Institute of Health, is linked to exposure in places inhabited by bat colonies, such as caves or mines. Among the species capable of carrying the virus is one bat of the family Pteropodidae – the Egyptian pink-lipped bat (Rousettus aegyptiacus) – which lives mainly in Africa.
However, the virus is also transmitted from man to manespecially in the advanced stages of the disease, marked by vomiting, diarrhea or hemorrhages. This can be done by direct contact, that is to say if the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose or mouth, or damaged skin, come into contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person. It can also occur through indirect contact, through previously contaminated objects or surfaces.
What are the symptoms of the virus
The time between contact with the virus and the appearance of the first symptoms is on average 5 to 10 days, but sometimes the incubation period can be longer (from 2 to 21 days). The Higher Institute of Health (Iss) describes how the disease manifests itself. Symptoms evolve over time: the first symptoms appear suddenly, with high fever (39-40 degrees) and other non-specific symptoms, such as headache, chills, malaise and muscle pain.
After three days, other symptoms may appear, usually lasting for a week. Among them, we find:
- abdominal pain
- cramps
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- nausea
From the fifth day, a skin rash may manifest and the situation may become complicated with the appearance of hemorrhagic fever (and internal bleeding) and neurological symptoms, such as disorientation, confusion and irritability. In fatal cases, explains the WHO, death generally occurs between the eighth and ninth day of illnessafter severe blood loss.
How to treat: therapies and treatments
Currently, there is no vaccine or antiviral treatment for Marburg virus disease. Official sources – again indicates the WHO – explain that there are certain candidates for a possible vaccine, but they are still in the testing phase. The only treatment available to date is support for the most serious patients, for example through the administration of intravenous fluids.
What is the risk of epidemic in the world and in France
The outbreaks which have occurred so far have been controlled, according to the Iss, thanks to health protocols such as early identification of cases, isolation, contact tracing and use of personal protective devices. The Iss also recommends avoiding visiting risky environments such as caves or mines, when traveling to countries of sub-Saharan Africa.
