By Spy Uganda
Health authorities in Guinea have reported West Africa’s first case of the deadly Marburg virus, a highly infectious virus related to Ebola. Marburg is carried by bats and has a fatality rate of up to 88 per cent.
The discovery comes two months after the WHO declared an end to Guinea’s second Ebola outbreak, which began last year and killed 12 people.
The WHO said the threat from the Marburg virus was high at the national and regional level, but low globally. “We are working with the health authorities to implement a swift response that builds on Guinea’s past experience and expertise in managing Ebola, which is transmitted in a similar way,” Dr Moeti said.
The virus is usually associated with exposure to caves or mines where colonies of Rousettus bats live and once a human contracts the virus, it is spread through contact with bodily fluids, or contaminated surfaces and materials, the WHO said.
“We applaud the alertness and the quick investigative action by Guinea’s health workers,” Dr Moeti said.
Meanwhile, ten WHO experts, including epidemiologists and socio-anthropologists, are supporting national health authorities.
The emergency response includes risk assessment, disease surveillance, community screening, clinical care, infection control and logistical support, the WHO said. Cross-border surveillance has also been increased so potential cases can be detected quickly, it said.
Previous outbreaks and sporadic cases have been reported in South Africa, Angola, Kenya, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. But this is the first time the virus has been detected in West Africa.
