Another day, another epidemic

There is currently an outbreak of Marburg Virus Disease (a hemorrhagic viral disease caused by Marburg Virus) in Equatorial Guinea, Africa. There is no vaccine for this virus, and it has a close to 90% death rate. Currently there have been nine deaths and eight suspected deaths. There are also 16 cases and 21 people who have been in contact with people who had the disease or are suspected to have the disease.

The virus was first detected simultaneously in Marburg, Germany and Belgrade, Yugoslavia in 1967 when people in labs working with infected green monkeys were infected and ultimately died. Since then there have been sporadic outbreaks that flare up and disappear with the majority of infected people dying. Essentially, Marburg Virus is Ebola Virus’ deadlier relative, they are both hemorrhagic viral diseases.

It was be sadly interesting to see how this plays out in the next few weeks.

More tomorrow…