First Outbreak Of Deadly Marburg Virus, Ghana Official Confirmed

Ghana has formally confirmed 2 cases of the Marburg virus, a extremely communicable disease almost like VHF, its health service aforesaid on Sunday, once 2 those who later died tested positive for the virus earlier this month.

Tests conducted in Republic of Ghana came back positive on Gregorian calendar month ten, however the results had to be verified by a laboratory in Republic of Senegal for the cases to be thought of confirmed, in line with the planet Health Organisation.

“Further testing at the Institute chemist in port, Republic of Senegal has substantiated the results,” Republic of Ghana Health Service (GHS) aforesaid in an exceedingly statement.

GHS is functioning to cut back any risk of the virus spreading, together with the isolation of all known contacts, none of whom have developed any symptoms thus far, it said.

This is solely the second eruption of Marburg in geographical area. the primary ever case of the virus within the region was detected last year in Guinea, with no any cases known.

“(Ghanaian) health authorities have responded fleetly, obtaining a vantage getting ready for a doable eruption. this is often smart as a result of while not immediate and decisive action, Marburg will simply get out of hand,” aforesaid Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for continent.

The two patients in southern Ghana’s Ashanti region each had symptoms together with diarrhea, fever, nausea and forcing out, before dying in hospital, the WHO aforesaid.

There are a dozen major Marburg outbreaks since 1967, largely in southern and jap continent. Fatality rates have varied from pure gold to half of one mile in past outbreaks betting on the virus strain and case management, in line with the WHO.

It is transmitted to individuals from fruit kookie and spreads among humans through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals, surfaces and materials, the WHO says.