The World Health Organization says that Equatorial Guinea has confirmed its first-ever outbreak of Marburg virus disease, saying the Ebola-related virus is responsible for at least nine deaths in the country
The WHO said there were currently nine deaths and 16 suspected cases with symptoms including fever, fatigue, diarrhoea, and blood-stained vomiting
According to WHO, Marburg virus disease is a highly virulent disease that causes haemorrhagic fever, with a fatality ratio of up to 88 per cent. It is in the same family as the virus that causes Ebola virus disease
Marburg and Ebola viruses are both members of the Filoviridae family (filovirus). Though caused by different viruses, the two diseases are clinically similar
Like Ebola, the Marburg virus originates in bats. The virus is transmitted to people from fruit bats and spreads among humans through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people, surfaces and materials
The disease caused by Marburg virus begins abruptly with high fever, severe headache and malaise, before progressing to diarrhoea, abdominal cramps and vomiting. In fatal cases, death occurs most often between 8 and 9 days after symptom onset
There are currently no approved vaccines or antiviral treatment to treat the illness. However, supportive care such as maintaining hydration, electrolyte balance, and blood pressure improves chances of survival significantly
A lockdown has been implemented in the Kie-Ntem province and the neighbouring district of Mongomo to contain the spread of the disease, said the country’s health minister
Marburg virus disease was initially detected in 1967 after simultaneous outbreaks in Marburg and Frankfurt in Germany, as well as in Belgrade, Serbia