THE SEED OF THE PANDEMIC - FIRST SIGNS
On 21 March 2023, the Ministry of Health (MoH) of the United Republic of Tanzania declared an outbreak of Marburg virus disease (MVD) in the country. As of 22 March, a total of eight cases, including five deaths (case fatality ratio [CFR]: 62.5%) have been reported from two villages in Bukoba district, Kagera region, United Republic of Tanzania. This is the first time that Tanzania has reported an outbreak of MVD. The disease is caused by the same family of viruses (Filoviridae) as Ebola virus disease and is clinically similar, and it is an epidemic-prone disease associated with high case-fatality rates.
Marburg virus infection often results from prolonged exposure to mines or caves inhabited by Rousettus bat colonies. Once an individual is infected with the virus, it can spread through human-to-human transmission via direct contact with the blood, secretions or other body fluids of infected or deceased people. Healthcare workers have previously been infected while treating patients with suspected or confirmed MVD. Burial ceremonies that involve direct contact with the body of the deceased can also contribute to the transmission of Marburg.
The current outbreak in Tanzania was first identified when seven cases and five deaths from an unknown disease were reported in two villages in Bukoba district, northern Tanzania. The cases were later confirmed as Marburg virus infection by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) at the National Public Health Laboratory, Tanzania. As response measures, Rapid Response Teams have been deployed to investigate and implement interventions in the affected areas, including contact tracing and risk communication activities.
WHO assesses the risk of spread as very high at the national level, high at the subregional level, and moderate at the regional level due to cross-border movements between Kagera region and bordering countries including Uganda in the north, Rwanda and Burundi in the west. The risk at the global level is assessed to be low. This is because MVD is a rare disease and transmission is primarily through direct contact with body fluids, unlike airborne diseases such as COVID-19.
Clinical diagnosis of MVD is difficult in the early phase as symptoms are similar to other febrile illnesses. The differential diagnosis for MVD may include other filovirus diseases, Lassa fever, malaria, typhoid fever, dengue, rickettsial infections, leptospirosis and plague. Laboratory confirmation is primarily made by RT-PCR.
Although there are no vaccines or antiviral treatments for MVD, supportive care – such as rehydration with oral or intravenous fluids – and treatment of specific symptoms improve survival. A range of potential treatments are being evaluated, including blood products, immune therapies, and drug therapies.
In conclusion, the outbreak of MVD in Tanzania is a cause for concern, especially given the high case-fatality rate and the fact that this is the first time that the disease has been reported in the country. Response measures are being implemented, but more needs to be done to prevent further spread of the disease, especially given the high risk of cross-border transmission. It is important for the global health community to remain vigilant and provide support to Tanzania and other countries in the region to prevent the spread of this deadly disease.
BRINGING THE VIRUS HOME -UNITED STATES
As the Marburg virus begins to emerge in the United States, citizens are once again thrown into a state of panic and chaos reminiscent of the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. The media and government officials scramble to respond to the outbreak, but the fear of another deadly virus spreading like wildfire is palpable.
Images of medical professionals in hazmat suits flood the news, while families anxiously wait for updates on their loved ones who have fallen ill. The eerie silence of empty streets and closed businesses evokes memories of the lockdowns and social distancing measures that became a way of life for so many during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The government implements strict measures to contain the virus, including travel restrictions and mandatory quarantines for anyone who may have come in contact with an infected person. The media reports on the latest developments around the clock, with headlines warning of the virus's deadly and fast-spreading nature.
As the number of cases rises, so too does the sense of urgency to find a cure. Researchers work tirelessly around the clock, searching for a breakthrough in the fight against the Marburg virus. Or does a cure already exist, some whisper of a new vaccine and a new Dr. Fauci.
Families are torn apart, and lives are lost as the virus continues to ravage communities across the country. The desperation and heartbreak of those affected are felt across the nation, leaving a lasting impact on all who lived through the nightmare of yet another deadly virus outbreak.
In the face of adversity and uncertainty, however, the resilience and compassion of the American people fights to shine through. The fight against the Marburg Ebola virus may be long and grueling, but the spirit of determination and unity that emerges in a small but growing number of patriots in its wake, serves as a testament to the strength of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable challenges.
The Pandemic Apex
As the world was still reeling from the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, a new crisis was brewing in the United States. A deadly virus, known as "Pandemic X (Marburg or Ebola, time till tell)," had swept through the United States of America, leaving millions infected and thousands dead. In an effort to combat the virus, the government under a NEW Dr. Fauci has developed an experimental vaccine, which many Americans were hesitant to take due to concerns about its safety and efficacy.
Enter the American Freedom Fighters, a group of patriots who again refused to be injected with the experimental vaccine. They believed that this pandemic was not a natural occurrence but a deep shadow government plot to force lockdowns and a vision of martial law under the guise of health protections. The ultimate goal, they claimed, was to create a scenario for the deep state government to steal and compromise the 2024 U.S. Presidential election.
These freedom fighters turned to holistic and alternative medications for help, which they believed were safer and more effective than the vaccine. The government, however, saw them as rebels for not falling in line and complying with the vaccination program. They were accused of endangering the public and putting the entire country at risk.
The situation quickly escalated as the government launched a massive crackdown on the American Freedom Fighters. Many were arrested, and their properties seized. They were labelled as traitors and enemies of the state, with the government and mainstream media painting them as a danger to public health.
But the American Freedom Fighters refused to back down, and instead, they rallied behind their cause. They believed that their fight was not just for their own freedom but for the freedom of all Americans. The world watched in awe as this small group of patriots stood up against what they saw as a tyrannical government, willing to sacrifice everything for the cause of freedom.
The question remained, however, would the rest of America and the world stand behind these patriots and fight for freedom, or would they fall in line with a tyrannical government and surrender their freedoms once again, for the final time?