New Delhi: The first two cases of the deadly Marburg virus have been confirmed in Ghana. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed it to be a highly infectious disease that comes from the family of the virus that causes Ebola. Ghana’s first outbreak of the Marburg virus was confirmed after the labs announced two cases earlier this month.
Reportedly, both the patients died in the hospital in the southern Ashanti region. Their samples came positive earlier this month and have now been verified by a laboratory in Senegal. According to the health officials in the West African nation where 98 people who allegedly came in close contact with the infected people have been quarantined.
The WHO has praised the swift handling of the cases in Ghana. “This is good because, without immediate and decisive action, Marburg can easily get out of hand,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, the WHO’s Africa director.
Reportedly, the disease is spread to people by fruit bats and transmitted among people through direct contact with bodily fluids of infected people and surfaces.
History of Marburg cases:
This is not the first time that Marburg has been identified in West Africa. Last year, there was one confirmed case in Guinea. However, the outbreak was declared over in September, which was after five weeks the case was confirmed.
Other continents that previously saw outbreaks and sporadic cases are Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, South Africa and Uganda, said the WHO.
The virus killed more than 200 people in Angola in 2005. It is considered the deadliest outbreak on record by the global health body. The first ever Marburg outbreak happened in Germany in 1967 and killed seven people.
Symptoms of Marburg virus:
The disease causes severe, often fatal illness along with headache, fever, muscle pains, vomiting blood, and bleeding.
Treatment against Marburg virus:
There is no treatment for Marburg. However, doctors say that drinking plenty of water and treating specific symptoms can improve the patient’s survival chance.
Besides, as a precautionary measure, officials are warning people to be away from caves and to thoroughly cook all meat products before consuming them.
The case fatality rates in the past outbreaks have marked from 24% to 88%, as Marburg is considered harmful and deadly.
