Nine people have died in Equatorial Guinea from one of the world’s deadliest diseases.
The Marburg virus has a fatality rate of up to 88 percent, similar to its cousin Ebola.
This is the first time the pathogen has been detected in the African country, which is now trying to contain the outbreak.
Hundreds of people suspected of having contracted the currently incurable virus have already been quarantined.
Neighboring Cameroon and Gabon have restricted movement along their borders due to pollution concerns.
International aid organizations have urgently dispatched teams to the country’s Kie Ntem province to bring the outbreak under control. Neighboring Cameroon and Gabon have also restricted movement along their borders due to pollution concerns
Marburg virus disease, which kills up to 88 percent of people, is considered one of the deadliest pathogens of all. About 16 cases and nine deaths have been identified so far, all in the same region, the World Health Organization (WHO) said yesterday
International aid organizations have deployed teams on the ground in Kie Ntem, where 16 cases have been registered so far.
Local officials first raised the alarm last week after a mysterious illness struck several people and caused Ebola-like symptoms.
After preliminary tests, experts admitted that Marburg was to blame.
The UN agency is calling an emergency meeting of the Marburg virus vaccine consortium later today to discuss the outbreak. There is currently no approved vaccine.
Marburg is first transmitted to humans by flying foxes and spreads among humans through direct contact with contaminated human body fluids, surfaces and materials.
Symptoms come on suddenly and include severe headache, fever, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and vomiting. You are getting more and more serious.
In the early stages of MVD – the disease that causes it – it is very difficult to distinguish it from other tropical diseases such as Ebola and malaria.
Infected patients become “spooky” and often develop deep-set eyes and expressionless faces.
It is usually accompanied by bleeding from various body openings, including the nose, gums, eyes and vagina.
The first outbreak occurred in 1967 in Germany and Serbia.
Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO’s regional director for Africa, said: “Marburg is highly contagious.
“The quick and decisive action by the Equatorial Guinean authorities to confirm the disease will allow emergency response to quickly increase to full capacity so that we can save lives and bring the virus to a halt as quickly as possible.”
MVD is usually associated with outbreaks in Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, South Africa and Uganda.
The WHO has dispatched experts to support affected districts with testing and contact tracing, and to provide medical care to people with symptoms of the disease.
In addition, the WHO confirmed yesterday that other “health emergency experts” are being deployed in the areas of epidemiology, case management, infection prevention, laboratory and risk communication.
There is none Vaccines or antiviral treatments approved to treat MVD.
However, health experts advise supportive care, rehydration with oral or IV fluids, and treatment of specific symptoms improve survival.
According to the WHO, a number of potential treatments are currently being evaluated, including blood products, immunotherapies and drug therapies.
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
