The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed the first outbreak of Marburg virus in Equatorial Guinea.
The government had already launched an investigation into suspicious cases and declared a health alert in Kie-Ntem province and Mongomo district. Three patients with mild symptoms have been isolated in a hospital located in a remote area that borders Gabon and Cameroon.
What is Marburg virus?
The Marburg virus is a rare but highly contagious pathogen found mainly in central and eastern Africa. It is spread through direct contact with bodily fluids of infected individuals. The virus takes its name from the German city of Marburg where it was first detected in 1967 after laboratory workers fell ill after contact with infected monkeys imported from Uganda.
Marburg fever is a severe and fatal disease with symptoms including high fever, severe vomiting, and blood in the stool. Unfortunately, there is no vaccine available to prevent the disease. The only way to control the spread of Marburg virus is to isolate patients as soon as possible and trace all individuals who have come into contact with the infected patients.
