Marburg, one of the world’s deadliest diseases kills nine in Equatorial Guinea
Marburg has been recorded as the cause of the death of nine people in Equatorial Guinea.
Nine people have died in Equatorial Guinea after testing positive for the Marburg virus, one of the world’s most deadly diseases.
The Marburg virus is said to be similar to Ebola, and has a mortality rate of up to 88%, causing those who are infected with it to bleed to death.
People with the symptoms of Marburg are forced to isolate themselves to help contain the deadly outbreak that has already infected sixteen people According to records from World Health Organization (WHO).
Also, The Independent reports that it would be the first time the virus has been found in the central African country.
Health Minister, Mitoha Ondo’o Ayekaba said that health authorities are scrambling to contain the virus, as the country has quarantined more than 200 people and restricted movement.
In addition, Cameroon and Gabon have also restricted movement along their borders.
Local health officials initially raised the alarm on February 7, after a mystery illness causing hemorrhagic fever killed several people in Kie Ntem, while preliminary investigations revealed Marburg virus was responsible.
Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, said: “Marburg is highly infectious. Thanks to the rapid and decisive action by the Equatorial Guinean authorities in confirming the disease, emergency response can get to full steam quickly so that we save lives and halt the virus as soon as possible.”
Symptoms of Marburg
Many who catch the disease develop severe internal bleeding within a week, with blood from the nose, gums, vagina, and in vomit and feces, and die not long after.
Mode of Transmission
The virus is transmitted to people from fruit bats, and it can spread between humans through direct contact with body fluids and materials.
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