Warning Signs Of Marburg Hemorrhagic Fever

Marburg hemorrhagic fever, also known as the Marburg virus, was first identified in 1967. Related to the Ebola virus, it affects both humans and non-human primates and is caused by an animal-borne RNA virus belonging to the filovirus family. The primary host of the Marburg virus is the African fruit bat. While the exact manner of transmission to humans remains unknown, scientists note in previous outbreaks of the virus, infected individuals had handled non-human primates, cell cultures, or fluids that were also infected. To diagnose Marburg hemorrhagic fever, antigen-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and polymerase chain reaction testing can be performed, and the results are normally available in a few days. Since the symptoms of Marburg hemorrhagic fever are very similar to malaria and other less serious illnesses, it can be very easy to misdiagnose this condition.