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Guinea has confirmed a case of Marburg virus disease, said the World Health Organization, the first recorded in West Africa of the Ebola-linked virus and, like COVID-19, transmitted from host animals to humans .
The virus, which is carried by bats and has a death rate of up to 88%, was found in samples taken from a patient who died on August 2 in the south of the prefecture of Gueckedou, announced Monday evening the ‘WHO.
“The potential for the spread of the Marburg virus means we have to stop it dead,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa.
The discovery came just two months after the WHO declared the end of Guinea’s second Ebola outbreak, which began last year and killed 12 people.
In Geneva, the WHO said it considers the threat “high” at the national and regional level, but “low” at the global level.
“We are working with health authorities to implement a rapid response that builds on Guinea’s past experience and expertise in dealing with Ebola, which is transmitted in a similar way,” Moeti said.
The Guinean government confirmed Marburg’s case in a statement.
Marburg virus is usually associated with exposure to caves or mines that harbor Rousettus bat colonies. Once caught by a human, it is spread through contact with bodily fluids of infected people, or with contaminated surfaces and materials, according to the WHO.
Quick response
“We applaud the vigilance and rapid investigative action of Guinean health workers,” said Moeti.
The case was detected in a village in a forest region close to the borders of Sierra Leone and Liberia.
The man’s symptoms dated back to July 25, according to the WHO.
After initially being treated at a local clinic and tested for malaria, the patient died “in the community,” the WHO said.
The post-mortem samples were then tested negative for Ebola, but positive for Marburg.
Ten WHO experts, including epidemiologists and socio-anthropologists, are already on the ground to support national health authorities.
The emergency response includes risk assessment, disease surveillance, community mobilization and screening, clinical care, infection control and logistical support, the WHO said.
Cross-border surveillance has also been stepped up so that possible cases can be quickly detected, he said.
Three of the deceased’s family members and a health worker have been identified as high-risk close contacts and are being monitored, while investigations are underway to identify the source of the infection and any other possible contact, the said. ‘WHO.
Previous outbreaks and sporadic cases have been reported in South Africa, Angola, Kenya, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
But this is the first time that the virus has been detected in West Africa.
The illness begins suddenly, with a high fever, severe headache and discomfort.
Death rates have ranged from 24% to 88% in previous outbreaks, depending on the virus strain and case management, the WHO said.
Although there are no approved vaccines or antiviral treatments, oral or intravenous rehydration and treatment of specific symptoms improve survival rates, he said.
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