Ghanaian authorities have officially confirmed the first two deaths caused by previous Marburg virus infection. Both patients were from the central Ashanti region, but were not related to each other in any way. Currently, the health of 90 people who may have had contact with them is being monitored.
- Marburg virus is a zoonotic disease
- This is one of the hemorrhagic fever, similar to Ebola or Zika
- Marburg is on the World Health Organization’s list of diseases with epidemic potential
- More current information can be found on the Onet homepage.
According to information provided by the World Health Organization, the deceased patients experienced symptoms such as diarrhea, fever, nausea and vomiting. As soon as the test results of both of these people, which clearly stated that they were infected with Marburg virus, were obtained, people who could potentially come into contact with them were immediately monitored. WHO has already announced the introduction of significant measures to contain the spread of the disease.
The specificity of the Marburg virus
Marburg virus is transmitted to humans from fruit bats and then can be transmitted through direct contact with an infected person and surfaces or materials that have been contaminated with body fluids that contain a dangerous pathogen. The first symptoms that occur in the infected are i.a. high fever, headache, nausea and vomiting. The virus, similar to Ebola, raises the body temperature to 40 degrees Celsius and causes internal bleeding. According to WHO, the mortality rate in people infected with the pathogen can be up to 88 percent.
Ghana fears an epidemic
Marburg is on the list of viruses with epidemic potential. Therefore, WHO and the government of Ghana plan to take immediate steps to avoid further spread of the disease. The local health service has issued an appeal to the public to avoid mines and caves where bats may stay, and to thoroughly cook all meat products before consumption.
The Ghana outbreak is the second confirmed detection of the virus in West Africa. Last year, a single infection was reported in Guinea, which also resulted in the patient’s death. The largest outbreak of the disease took place in 2005 in Angola. At that time, 374 people became infected, and as many as 329 died. The situation is complicated by the fact that at the moment there are no approved vaccines or treatment against the Marburg virus.
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