The Marburg Virus Has Claimed 10 Lives In Equatorial Guinea

The number of fatalities associated with this Ebola-related virus has increased to ten, according to preliminary data.

Health officials in Equatorial Guinea announced the number of deaths from the Marburg virus crisis, which has been ongoing for over two months, had risen to 10. The ministry issued a statement on Sunday claiming that no new cases had been detected in the previous 48 hours, that 14 people tested positive, and that 10 people had been hospitalised due to the virus.

At the same time, the ministry reported a decrease in contact monitoring from 825 on March 30 to 604.

Concerns that the Marburg virus may have gone farther than first anticipated prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) to request case reports from Equatorial Guinea last week. The United Nations organisation was worried that a "large-scale disease" may spread to neighbouring Gabon and Cameroon. The World Health Organization (WHO) has authorized the dispatch of "extra specialists" to assist boost preparation and response in the two countries in the face of an ongoing outbreak. A Marburg outbreak with five fatalities was also reported in Tanzania two weeks ago.

The virus is transferred from person to person by direct exposure to infected bodily fluids or contaminated spaces and objects, and is carried by fruit bats. The mortality rate has increased to 88.1%.

There is currently no antiviral therapy or vaccination available for this virus. Nonetheless, the likelihood of survival improves with the provision of supportive care, such as oral or intravenous rehydration and the management of certain symptoms.

 

Source: africanews.com