The Ebola and Marburg virus are two similar dangerous diseases that are native to the continent of Africa that cause hemorrhagic fevers. These are marked by severe bleeding, organ failure and, in some cases, even death. Both the viruses originate from Africa, where sporadic outbreaks have occurred before. Both the viruses live in animal hosts. Humans get the virus from infected animals. After transmission, they can be passed on from person to person through physical contact or unclean items such as infected needles. No drug has ever been approved to treat Ebola virus or Marburg virus. According to Mayo Clinic, “People diagnosed with Ebola virus or Marburg virus receive supportive care and treatment for complications. One vaccine has been approved for Ebola virus. Scientists are studying other vaccines for these deadly diseases.
Symptoms of both Ebola and Marburg virus will begin abruptly within five to fifteen days after infection. Early signs and symptoms include:
Fever
Severe Headache
Joint and Muscle aches
Chills
Fevers
Weakness
Over time, symptoms become increasingly worse with severe effects such as:
Nausea and vomiting
Diarrhea (may be bloody)
Red eyes
Raised rash
Chest pain and cough
Sore throat
Stomach pain
Severe weight loss
Bruising
Bleeding, usually from the eyes, and when close to death, possible bleeding from the ears, nose and rectum
Internal bleeding
According to Mayo Clinic, “Ebola virus has been found in African monkeys, chimps and other nonhuman primates. A milder strain of Ebola has been discovered in monkeys and pigs in the Philippines. The Marburg virus has been found in monkeys, chimps and fruit bats in Africa. Humans usually attain these viruses through consumption or killing of infected animals or through waste products such as urine and feces of bats. Both viruses can also be spread through human contact. The viruses can spread through blood, body fluids, or contaminated items such as bedding, clothing or needles. Family members can be infected as they care for sick relatives or prepare the dead for burial. There has been no records of these viruses being spread through insects of arachnids.
For most people, the risk of getting Ebola virus or Marburg virus is low. The risk increases if you:
Travel to Africa. You're at increased risk if you visit or work in areas where Ebola virus or Marburg virus outbreaks have occurred.
Conduct animal research. People are more likely to contract the Ebola virus or Marburg virus if they conduct animal research with monkeys imported from Africa or the Philippines.
Provide medical or personal care. Family members are often infected as they care for sick relatives. Medical personnel also can be infected if they don't use specialized personal protective equipment that covers them from head to toe.
Prepare people for burial. The bodies of people who have died of Ebola virus or Marburg virus are still contagious. Helping prepare these bodies for burial can increase your risk of getting the viruses.
According to Mayo Clinic, complications of Ebola and Marburg viruses include:
Multiple organ failure
Severe bleeding
Jaundice
Delirium
Seizures
Coma
Shock
One reason the viruses are so deadly is that they interfere with the immune system's ability to mount a defense. But scientists don't understand why some people recover from Ebola virus and Marburg virus and others don't. For people who survive, recovery is slow. It may take months to regain weight and strength, and the viruses remain in the body for weeks. People may experience:
Hair loss
Sensory changes
Liver inflammation (hepatitis)
Weakness
Fatigue
Headaches
Eye inflammation
Testicular inflammation
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