New virus worrying scientists: "It leads to death in one week"

The deadly Marburg virus outbreak, similar to Ebola, is seriously concerning the WHO (World Health Organization). In Belgium, the authorities are calling on the population to be vigilant.

The Belgian government is urging anyone who has travelled to Rwanda and returned to Belgium to monitor their symptoms and, if necessary, consult a healthcare professional. This decision is supported by the infectious disease specialist at Ghent University Hospital, Steven Callens, who reminds us that this new virus is extremely lethal, transmissible only through bodily fluids like blood, vomit, and diarrhoea, according to the Belgian media Sudinfo.

In the absence of vaccines and treatments, the infectious disease specialist notes that mortality can be reduced to 20% if intensive care is provided quickly. The situation can become complicated in hospitals affected by poor hygiene conditions.

Symptoms: a rapid progression

How does the Marburg virus manifest? Through muscle aches, fever, and, when it progresses rapidly, severe haemorrhages and organ failure leading to death within a week without treatment, highlights Sudinfo. These symptoms can be observed between 2 and 21 days following infection.

And even though it's unlikely that the epidemic will affect Europe, the WHO raises concerns about the virus's lethality and the lack of treatment. During an epidemic in Angola dating from 2005, mortality rates reached 88%.

(MH with Raphaël Liset - Source: Sudinfo - Illustration: ©Unsplash)