Guinea Annouces First Case Of Marburg Virus

After a man died of the haemorrhagic fever sickness in Guinea, the first case of Marburg virus was verified in West Africa.

Marburg, a highly infectious disease that causes haemorrhagic fever, has been discovered for the first time in the country and in West Africa.

The virus, which is related to ebola, passes from person to person by bodily fluids and can kill up to 88 percent of those infected.

A high fever and muscle soreness are common symptoms, but some individuals also experience bleeding from their eyes and ears.

The case was confirmed by a laboratory in Guinea and the Institut Pasteur in adjacent Senegal after the male patient sought treatment and died in Gueckedou.

According to the World Health Organization, contact tracing is underway (WHO).

The patient sought treatment at a local clinic in Gueckedou’s Koundou neighborhood, where a medical investigation team was dispatched to investigate his worsening symptoms.

“We applaud the alertness and the quick investigative action by Guinea’s health workers. The potential for the Marburg virus to spread far and wide means we need to stop it in its tracks,” said Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, World Health Organisation Regional Director for Africa.

“We are working with the health authorities to implement a swift response that builds on Guinea’s past experience and expertise in managing Ebola, which is transmitted in a similar way,” Moeti said.

Gueckedou, where Marburg has been confirmed, is also where instances of the Guinean Ebola outbreak in 2021, as well as the West African outbreaks of 2014–2016, were first discovered.

In a news release, the WHO stated that attempts are being made to locate others who may have had contact with the patient.

“As the disease is appearing for the first time in the country, health authorities are launching public education and community mobilisation to raise awareness and galvanise support to help curb widespread infection.

“An initial team of 10 WHO experts, including epidemiologists and socio-anthropologists is on the ground helping to investigate the case and supporting the national health authorities to swiftly step up emergency response, including risk assessment, disease surveillance, community mobilisation, testing, clinical care, infection prevention as well as logistical support.

“Cross-border surveillance is also being enhanced to quickly detect any cases, with neighbouring countries on alert. The Ebola control systems in place in Guinea and in neighbouring countries are proving crucial to the emergency response to the Marburg virus,” the statement read in part.

Marburg is transmitted to humans by fruit bats and spreads through direct contact with infected people’s bodily fluids, surfaces, and items.

The illness strikes quickly, with a high fever, a terrible headache, and a general feeling of lethargy. Within seven days, many individuals have severe haemorrhagic symptoms. In previous epidemics, patient mortality rates ranged from 24 percent to 88 percent, depending on the virus strain and case management.

“Although there are no vaccines or antiviral treatments approved to treat the virus, supportive care – rehydration with oral or intravenous fluids – and treatment of specific symptoms, improves survival. A range of potential treatments, including blood products, immune therapies and drug therapies, are being evaluated.

“In Africa, previous outbreaks and sporadic cases have been reported in Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, South Africa and Uganda,” WHO said.