Health authorities in Ghana announced on Sunday, July 17, two cases of Marburg virus disease recorded in the country.
« This is the first time that Ghana has confirmed (the presence) of the Marburg virus » on its territory, said the director general of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, in a press release. Some 98 people identified as contact cases are currently in quarantine, the text specifies.
The health authorities promise to spare no effort to “protect the health of the population” which it invites to cooperate so that the virus is “contained effectively”.
This highly contagious hemorrhagic fever, almost as deadly as Ebola, is transmitted to humans by fruit bats; and between humans through direct contact with bodily fluids of infected people or with surfaces and materials, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
The UN body says it is and is closely monitoring the situation. There are no vaccines or antiviral treatments approved yet to treat the virus, but oral or intravenous rehydration and treatment for specific symptoms would improve survival rates. The disease is manifested by high fever, intense headaches and possible malaise.
Ghana is the second country to be affected in West Africa. In Guinea, a national who contracted the virus died in August 2021. The virus had disappeared, but resurfaced. Covid-19 and monkey pox are no longer the only viruses in the news.
By OMA Newsletter N° 784 of 18/07/2022
Article published under the direction of Dr. Najib Kettani
The OMA, NGO with an Intercontinental vocation
For the development of cultural exchanges
Valuing human potential
The promotion and consolidation of Africa’s development, and
Inter-African integration
