APA-Malabo (Equatorial Guinea) – The total number of Marburg cases has risen to 16 with 11 deaths, according to the World Health Organization.
The WHO reported six new cases of the Marburg virus in Equatorial Guinea on Saturday.
“There are now 16 laboratory-confirmed cases of Marburg. Of these, 11 people have died,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a news conference from Geneva, Switzerland.
On Tuesday, a new case was reported in a health worker in Bata who had been under surveillance for exposure to a previous case.
“The case was detected on the day of the outbreak and was treated with antiviral therapy according to the government protocol, which is supported by WHO,” Dr Tedros said.
Given the rapid spread of the virus, WHO is urging all partners to remain vigilant, as there may be undetected chains of Marburg transmission in the country.
A total of 23 probable cases have been reported since the outbreak was declared on 13 February. The worst affected area is Bata, in the province of Littoral. This district has reported 9 cases of Marburg.
Together with its partners, WHO is supporting the Ministry of Health in strengthening surveillance in the affected areas and increasing laboratory capacity.
“We are also working together to improve Marburg case management, infection prevention and control, protection of health workers and caregivers, safe and dignified burials, and community engagement on risk and safety,” said Dr Tedros.
The UN health agency is also working with neighbouring countries to prepare for possible importation. For WHO, this is “a critical moment in the response to the Marburg outbreak in Equatorial Guinea, and it will take a whole-of-government and whole-of-society effort to stop this outbreak.”
Marburg disease is transmitted to humans by fruit bats and is spread among people through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people, contaminated surfaces and objects.
It is highly virulent and causes haemorrhagic fever with a mortality rate of up to 88 per cent. The virus belongs to the same family as Ebola virus disease.
There are no licensed vaccines or antiviral treatments for the virus. However, supportive care – oral or intravenous rehydration – and treatment of specific symptoms improve the chances of survival.
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