The Marburg virus sickness, which is extremely contagious, has now been verified in two cases in Ghana, according to a statement released by the World Health Organization (WHO). Two unrelated patients from Ghana’s southern Ashanti area who later died both tested positive for the virus, prompting the announcement. According to WHO, the patients reported diarrhea, fever, nausea, and vomiting as symptoms, and more than 90 contacts are being kept under observation.
According to WHO, Marburg is a highly contagious viral hemorrhagic fever that is related to the more well-known Ebola virus disease and has a death rate of up to 88 percent. “Illness begins abruptly, with high fever, severe headache, and malaise,” it stated. According to the WHO, the virus is carried from fruit bats to humans and can then be transferred from one person to another by coming into touch with their bodily fluids, contaminated surfaces, or items.
The international health organization announced that containment measures were being implemented and that additional resources would be used to address the outbreak in Ghana. WHO also cautioned that “Marburg can easily get out of hand without immediate and effective response.”
For the Marburg virus, there are no licensed vaccinations or antiviral medications. The WHO stated that treatment such as oral or intravenous rehydration and management of particular symptoms can increase a patient’s chances of survival.
To assist lower the chance of the virus spreading, the Ghana Health Service has advised the people to stay away from fruit bat-inhabited mines and caves and to thoroughly prepare any meat items before consumption. According to the health service, fruit bats are the Marburg virus’s natural hosts.
After Guinea discovered the virus last year, Ghana is only seeing its second epidemic in West Africa. The virus also claimed the life of the patient in the epidemic in Guinea. Health authorities in Guinea confirmed that there were no additional instances.
Previous outbreaks have been documented in South Africa, Kenya, Angola, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, among other countries in Africa. With more than 200 fatalities, the Angola epidemic in 2005 was the deadliest.
WHO reports that countries that are more likely to experience a resurgence of the virus have been contacted and are “on alert.”
