The neglected continuously emerging Marburg virus disease in Africa: A global public health threat
Loading...
Date
2023-10
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Abstract
Background and Aim: Severe viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) is caused by Marburg
virus which is a member of the Filoviridae (filovirus) family. Many Marburg virus
disease (MVD) outbreaks are reported in five decades. A major notable outbreak
with substantial reported cases of infections and deaths was in 2022 in Uganda.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) reported MVD outbreak in Ghana in July
2022 following the detection of two probable VHF patients there. Further, the
virus was reported from two other African countries, the Equatorial Guinea
(February 2023) and Tanzania (March 2023). There have been 35 deaths out of
40 reported cases in Equatorial Guinea, and six of the nine confirmed cases in
Tanzania so far.
Methods: Data particularly on the several MVD outbreaks as reported from the
African countries were searched on various databases including the Pubmed,
Scopus, and Web‐of‐science. Also, the primary data and reports from health
agencies like the WHO and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
CDC) were evaluated and the efficacy reviewed.
Results: Chiroptera in general and bat species like Rousettus aegyptiacus and
Hipposideros caffer in particular are natural reservoirs of the Marburg virus. MVD‐
infected nonhuman primate African fruit‐bat and the MVD‐infected humans pose
significant risk in human infections. Cross‐border viral transmission and its potential
further international ramification concerns raise the risk of its rapid spread and a
potential outbreak. Occurrence of MVD is becoming more frequent in Africa with
higher case fatality rates. Effective prophylactic and therapeutic interventions to
counter this deadly virus are suggested.
Conclusion: In the face of the lack of effective therapeutics and preventives
against MVD, supportive care is the only available option which contributes to the growing concern and disease severity. In view of the preventive approaches
involving effective surveillance and monitoring system following the “One
Health” model is extremely beneficial to ensure a healthy world for all, this
article aims at emphasizing several MVD outbreaks, epidemiology, zoonosis of
the virus, current treatment strategies, risk assessments, and the mitigation
strategies against MVD.