Tag

Marburg

All articles tagged with #marburg

health1 year ago

UK Travellers Alerted to Deadly 'Eye-Bleeding' Virus in 17 Countries

Travellers are being cautioned as the Marburg, Mpox, and Oropouche viruses spread across 17 countries, with Marburg, known for causing 'bleeding eyes,' resulting in 15 deaths in Rwanda. Mpox cases have been detected in several African countries and the UK, while Oropouche is spreading in South America and the Caribbean. The UK Health Security Agency advises travellers, especially pregnant and immunosuppressed individuals, to take precautions, as there are no vaccines for these viruses. Symptoms vary but can include fever, rash, and severe complications.

health1 year ago

Life on the Frontlines: Facing the World's Deadliest Disease

Rwanda's recent Marburg virus outbreak, one of the deadliest diseases with a mortality rate up to 90%, has heavily impacted healthcare workers, with nearly 80% of the 66 cases being doctors and nurses. Dr. Menelas Nkeshimana, who led the response, describes the fear and challenges faced while treating patients in the 'red zone'. Despite the high risk, Rwanda's preparedness and rapid response, including the use of experimental antivirals and vaccines, have kept the fatality rate at 23%, significantly lower than past outbreaks. The outbreak is nearing its end, with no new cases expected by December 20.

health2 years ago

"Breakthrough Discovery: Unraveling the Ebola Virus' Cell Invasion Tactics"

A recent study published in Nature Communications has identified a protein called CCZ1 that plays a crucial role in the infection and spread of Ebola and Marburg viruses within the body. Researchers discovered that CCZ1 is essential for these viruses to infect human liver cells and blood vessels. The study utilized advanced stem cell libraries and laboratory-grown mini-organs to investigate how the viruses infect human blood vessels and liver organoids. The findings have the potential to lead to new treatments for Ebola and Marburg viruses, and the research platform used in the study can be applied to investigate other viral infections and develop new antiviral drugs.

health2 years ago

Marburg Virus Outbreaks Spark Concern in Africa

Two concurrent outbreaks of the Marburg virus, a close cousin of Ebola, in Tanzania and Equatorial Guinea are raising critical questions about the behavior of this mysterious bat-borne pathogen and global efforts to prepare for potential pandemics. There are no treatments or vaccines for Marburg, but there are some candidates that have shown promise in phase 1 clinical trials. However, these candidates must be tested in active outbreaks to prove they work, and so far, no vaccine supplies have been delivered to test in the current outbreaks.

health2 years ago

Equatorial Guinea Failing to Report Marburg Cases, Says WHO.

The Marburg outbreak in Equatorial Guinea continues to grow, with confirmed cases that the country has not yet reported, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The government has been slow to release updates, and the WHO expressed fears there may be undetected chains of transmission. Marburg virus disease is caused by a filovirus, which is the family to which Ebola viruses belong. Countries are required to report cases of dangerous diseases that could trigger international outbreaks to the WHO under the International Health Regulations.

health2 years ago

Mystery Disease in Burundi Causes Fatal Nosebleeds.

A mysterious nosebleed-causing disease has killed three people in Burundi, with health officials ruling out Ebola and Marburg. Symptoms include abdominal pain, high fever, vomiting, and dizziness. The disease has been reported in the Kirundo and Muyinga provinces, with health experts dispatched to investigate. The Ministry of Health has advised Burundians to wash their hands with clean water and soap, avoid unprotected contact with bodily fluids, and not consume wild animals or touch corpses with unknown causes of death.