Context:
A recent outbreak of Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) in Rwanda has killed at least 15 people.
Marburg Virus Disease (MVD):
- Formerly known as Marburg Hemorrhagic Fever.
- Causative Agent: Marburg virus, a zoonotic RNA virus, similar to the Ebola virus.
- 1st identified – In 1967, during simultaneous outbreaks in Marburg and Frankfurt (Germany) and Belgrade (Serbia).
- Natural Reservoir – African fruit bat
- Transmission –
- Zoonotic Transmission: From fruit bats to humans.
- Human-to-Human Transmission: Through direct contact with blood, secretions, organs, or other bodily fluids of infected individuals, and with surfaces and materials contaminated with these fluids.
- Diagnostic Methods: Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) testing.
- Treatment
- No specific treatment or approved vaccine.
- Supportive Therapy: Includes intravenous fluids, electrolyte replacement, supplemental oxygen, and blood and blood products replacement to improve survival.
- Preventive Measures: Avoiding contact with infected individuals, using personal protective equipment (PPE), and maintaining strict hygiene practices.
Source: The Indian Express
Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements:
1. Adenoviruses have single-stranded DNA genomes whereas retroviruses have double-stranded DNA genomes.
2. Common cold is sometime caused by an adenovirus whereas AIDS is caused by a retrovirus.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2021 Prelims]
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (b)
Explanation:
Statement 1 is not correct, because adenoviruses have double-stranded DNA genomes, while retroviruses have single-stranded RNA genomes that use a DNA intermediate for replication.
