The World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday said the health authorities in Guinea have reported one death from the Marburg virus, reported the Guardian.
Notably, this is the first time Marburg, a highly infectious disease that causes hemorrhagic fever, has been identified in the country, and in West Africa. 12 major Marburg outbreaks have been recorded in eastern and southern Africa since 1967.
The Marburg virus was detected less than two months after Guinea declared an end to the second outbreak of Ebola, which began last year and claimed the lives of 12 people.
The WHO said that the Marburg virus was found in samples taken from a patient who died on August 2 in southern Gueckedou prefecture. It is carried by bats and has a fatality rate of up to 88 percent depending on the virus strain and case management. Once a person gets infected with the virus, it may spread to others through contact with bodily fluids, or with contaminated surfaces and materials.
Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, praised Guinean health authorities for their alertness and quick investigative action.
“The potential for the Marburg virus to spread far and wide means we need to stop it in its tracks,” said Dr. Moeti.
She said the WHO is working with Guinean health authorities to implement a swift response built on Guinea’s past experience and expertise in managing the Ebola virus, which is transmitted in a similar way.
A team of ten WHO experts, including epidemiologists and socio-anthropologists, have already arrived in Guinea to work with the national health authorities. The health workers are working on an emergency response to stop the spread which includes disease surveillance, risk assessment, community mobilization and screening, infection control, clinical care, and logistical support.
It said that cross-border surveillance has also been stepped up so that possible cases can be quickly detected.
