The incubation period of this virus is about 2-21 days before the manifestations of the symptoms. Apart from the above symptoms, this family of virus can also affect the brain by causing condition or mental states known as psychosis, delirium, coma and seizure. They also have a general body reaction termed ‘shock’ which is usually one of the most fatal symptoms or changes seen during the second week of infection or illness. Marburg was first identified in 1967 during this period, only a few small outbreaks recognized until 1998, when large outbreak (lasting until 2000) occurred in Democratic republic of Congo.
The virus was first identified when the outbreak occurred simultaneously in laboratory workers in Marburg and Frankfort Germany and Belgrade Yugoslavia The virus is not transmitted by a known reservoir or Arthropod vector. Sources of infections include, Contact with blood, tissues, or tissue cultures from infected monkeys, Person-to-person (most likely through contact with blood or body fluids), Percutaneous through accidental needle sticks, Sexual transmission (virus has been found in semen), and Contact with oral mucosa through infectious droplets, infectious aerosols, or direct contact (experimentally induced in monkeys).
Some of the changes the virus cause in an individual include liver damage, damage to most other organs, and infections of the blood vessels. It shares the same clinical features with the Ebola viral infection. The major differences between the two is that Marburg outbreaks have been less deadly compare to that of Ebola outbreaks. Marburg is not really effective in destroying the body defense mechanism compare to that Ebola. There is also variation in the coding sequence between the two types of virus.
Marburg only produces only one glycoprotein at a time while Ebola produces more than one glycoprotein at a time. There is a need for maximum protection during Ebola or Marburg research or isolation or treating patient with the infection. Biosafety level 4 is recommended. The facilities must be seal from animal contact. The entire route into and out of the laboratory must be sealed with multiple airlocks, to prevent any chance of escape of the viruses.
They are not treated with antiviral drug. The most important life saving treatment modality is to try to help the blood to clot and also hydrate the patient. Recent advancement and research has indicated that the viral hemorrhagic fevers can be treated by the uses of an anti-clotting agent known as the rNAPc2.
References
Ebola, (2009). “Structure and genetics”. Retrieved July 6, 2009 from http://www. brown. edu/Courses/Bio_160/Projects2004/ebola/struc. html