WHO confirms Marburg virus outbreak, one of the deadliest – 02/14/2023 – Equilibrium and Health

Nine deaths and 16 suspected cases have been reported in Equatorial Guinea. Viruses are from the same family as Ebola, and the average fatality rate is 50%. The World Health Organization (WHO) called this Tuesday (14/02) an emergency meeting to address the outbreak of the Marburg virus in Equatorial Guinea, which has already caused the death of nine people and forced the African country to declare a state of health alert.

From the same family as Ebola, the virus is one of the most dangerous in the world. The mortality rate of those infected is, on average, 50%, but it can reach 88% depending on the variant of the virus and the health care provided to the patient.

In a statement sent to Lusa news agency, Equatorial Guinea’s Ministry of Health says it has detected an “atypical epidemiological situation” in districts of Nsok Nsomo, after the death of people with symptoms of fever, weakness, vomiting and bloody diarrhea. The virus was confirmed through samples sent for analysis in Senegal.

So far, authorities have reported nine deaths and 16 suspected cases, of which 14 are asymptomatic and two have mild symptoms. In addition, 21 people are in isolation and under surveillance for having had contact with the dead, and another 4,325 are quarantined in their homes.

The deaths occurred between January 7 and February 7, according to Equatorial Guinea’s Minister of Health, Ondo’o Ayekaba. A suspicious death on February 10 is being investigated.

Equatorial Guinea is located in Central Africa and is one of the nine Member States of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP), of which Brazil is also a member.

The area affected by the outbreak was located in a rural region of dense forest, close to the borders with Gabon and Cameroon.

HELP FROM WHO

WHO said it would send professionals to Equatorial Guinea to help fight the disease. Protective equipment will also be provided for the medical staff.

“Marburg virus is highly contagious. Thanks to the quick and decisive action of the Equatorial Guinea authorities in confirming the disease, the emergency response can arrive quickly to save lives and stop the virus as soon as possible,” said Matshidiso Moeti, Director WHO regional office for Africa.

THE MARBURG VIRUS

Marburg virus causes hemorrhagic fever and is transmitted by bats to primates and humans. Among humans, contagion occurs through the body fluids of infected people or through surfaces and materials, such as bedding.

The virus is named after a small German town on the banks of the Lahn River, where the virus was first documented in 1967. At the time, it caused simultaneous outbreaks of the disease in laboratories in Marburg, Germany, and Belgrade, Germany. then Yugoslavia (now Serbia). Seven people died from exposure to the virus while conducting research on monkeys.

Since then there have been outbreaks and sporadic cases in countries such as Angola, Ghana, Guinea-Conakry, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, South Africa and Uganda.

In a 2004 outbreak in Angola, 90% of the 252 infected people died. In 2022, two Marburg virus deaths were reported in Ghana.

To date, there are no vaccines or authorized drugs for the disease, but rehydration treatment to relieve symptoms can increase the chances of survival.

le/bl (Lusa, AFP, AP)