Ghana declares its first outbreak of Marburg virus disease after two deaths

Ghana has announced the country’s first outbreak of Marburg virus disease, the highly infectious disease caused by a virus from the same family as Ebola.Samples from a 26 year old man and 51 year old man who were reported dead on 27 June and 28 June, respectively, were corroborated at a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre laboratory. The two men, who were not related, had symptoms typical of Marburg virus, including diarrhoea, fever, nausea, and vomiting.The virus is transmitted through fruit bats and direct contact with bodily fluids and infected people, surfaces, and materials. Illness begins abruptly, and many patients develop severe haemorrhagic signs within seven days.WHO’s regional director for Africa, Matshidiso Moeti, said, “Health authorities have responded swiftly, getting a head start preparing for a possible outbreak. This is good because without immediate and decisive action, Marburg can easily get out of hand.“WHO is on the ground supporting health…
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