Cases of deadly Marburg virus reported in Ghana
Ghana reports two cases of deadly Marburg virus (or Marburg virus), causing severe hemorrhagic fever. This virus belongs to the same family, what is ebola.
The outbreak affected two patients from the southern region of Ashanti, who had symptoms, including diarrhea, fever, nausea and vomiting, WHO says in a statement.
In one case, a 26-year-old man was admitted to the hospital 26 June and died the next day. In the second case, a 51-year-old man was admitted to the same hospital 28 June and died the same day. The two men are not related.
Yet 34 man, in contact with patients, have been found and are under quarantine..
According to WHO, laboratory tests confirmed the results, testifying, that their illness was caused by the Marburg virus.
WHO stated, that has contacted neighboring countries with a high level of risk, and they are on high alert.
What is Marburg virus
Marburg is a highly contagious viral hemorrhagic fever from the same family, as the more well-known disease, caused by the ebola virus.
Guinea previously confirmed one case of the outbreak, which was declared completed in September 2021 year, five weeks after the discovery of the first case.
Previous outbreaks and sporadic cases of Marburg fever in Africa have been reported in Angola., Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, South Africa and Uganda.
Marburg is transmitted to humans from fruit bats and spread to humans through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals., surfaces and materials.
Symptoms and treatment of Marburg virus
Marburg virus is transmitted through bodily fluids – blood, excrement, sweat and saliva. In the early stages, the patient experiences headache and muscle pain., chills and fatigue.
Symptoms get worse as the disease progresses, liver disease starts, accompanied by jaundice, weight loss and bleeding from the mouth and nose.
The illness usually lasts about three weeks.. To save the patient's life, it is necessary to maintain liver function and bring down body temperature..
Patients tend to die in countries where the necessary medicines are in short supply..
