Purpose
The purpose of this fact sheet is to inform the public about how to protect yourself, your family, and your community from Marburg virus disease (Marburg). It is available in English, Spanish, and French.
Additional languages
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Protect Yourself, Your Family, and Your Community
What is Marburg?
Hello, my name is _____________________________. I am a health worker and I work with the Ministry of Health. Today, I am here because you may have been in contact with someone that is sick with or who died from Marburg and I would like to speak with you.
Marburg is a serious and very contagious disease caused by the Marburg virus. Up to 9 out of 10 people infected with the virus will die without treatment. Chances of survival improve when treatment is given early at a treatment center.
How does the Marburg Virus spread?
The virus spreads when a person is in contact with the body fluids of someone who is sick with or has died from Marburg.
- Saliva
- Sweat
- Blood
- Fluid around the baby
- Vomit
- Diarrhea
- Urine
- Semen
- Breast milk
What happens next?
Over the next 21 days, I will visit you each day to look for the signs and symptoms of Marburg and answer any questions you have.
If you show signs and symptoms of Marburg, you will be brought to a treatment center where trained doctors and nurses will care for you.
What are the signs and symptoms to look for?
Early:
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Weakness
- Headache
- Muscle and joint pain
- Red eyes
- Sore throat
Later:
- Rash
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhea
- Vomit
- Bloody nose or gums
- Bloody vomit
- Bloody diarrhea
What should you do if you feel sick?
- Notify a health worker. Chances of survival improve when treatment is given early at a treatment center.
- Stay home while you wait for an ambulance to take you to the treatment center where you will be treated.
- Until help arrives, avoid contact with your friends and family to prevent spreading the virus to them.
What happens if you go to a treatment center?
- An ambulance will take you to a treatment center.
- Trained doctors and nurses will give you medicine to treat Marburg. These medicines are free.
- Being treated at the treatment center protects your family and friends from getting sick with Marburg. They can come to the treatment center to see and talk to you if you wish.
- Your family can call caregivers for updates.
- Healthcare workers will give you free food and drink. They will treat you with kindness and respect.
- If you recover from Marburg, you can rejoin your family and community.