Marburg virus Disease reported in Ghana

Context

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), two suspected cases of Marburg virus disease were reported in Ghana. 

Key-Highlights

• In the preliminary analysis, samples were taken from two patients belonging to the southern Ashanti region of Ghana. 
• Both patients died as they were positive.
• To confirm the presence of the virus, samples have now been sent to the research centre in Senegal.
• No new cases have been reported after these two deaths were reported.

About Marburg virus disease

• The Marburg Virus disease is an infectious haemorrhagic fever. 
• It belongs to the same family as Ebola. 
• The virus is transmitted to people via fruit bats. 
• People to people transmission also takes place, if the uninfected person comes in direct contact with bodily fluids of the infected person or surfaces. 
• Marburg virus has an incubation period of 2-21 days. 
• This disease is potentially very harmful and deadly. 
• Fatality rates in previous outbreaks have ranged from 24% to 88%.
  
  

Symptoms

• Common symptoms of Marburg virus disease include- high fever, severe malaise, severe headache, Muscle aches and pains. 
• Patients may also see severe watery diarrhoea, nausea & vomiting, abdominal pain & cramping on the third day following the contracting. 
• These symptoms persist for a week.

Treatment 

• No treatment or vaccine has been developed for Marburg, yet. 
• Patients are treated through rehydration with oral or intravenous fluids.