Two cases of the deadly Marburg virus (or Marburg disease), which causes severe hemorrhagic fever, have been reported in Ghana. This virus is in the same family as Ebola.
Both patients with confirmed diagnosis died in hospital. Both cases occurred in the southern Ashanti Region.
Countries in central and eastern Africa are most susceptible to outbreaks of Marburg virus, but these are very rare. Ghanaian authorities say they are treating the situation with increased seriousness.
98 people have already been placed under strict quarantine. The average fatality rate of the virus is 50%, but the WHO warns that it is higher in countries with limited treatment options.
The Marburg virus is transmitted through bodily fluids – blood, feces, sweat, and saliva. In the early stages, an infected person experiences headache and muscle aches, chills, and fatigue. As the disease progresses, symptoms worsen, liver disease occurs along with jaundice, weight loss, and bleeding from the mouth and nose. The disease usually lasts about three weeks. To save the patient’s life, it is necessary to support the liver function and lower the body temperature. In countries where the necessary drugs are lacking, patients usually die.
The Marburg virus is usually transmitted by fruit bats. Authorities in Ghana and other African countries have urged residents to avoid caves where these mammals live and to cook all other meat thoroughly.
The virus got its name because it was first identified in Germany in 1967. Seven people died from it. But since then, there have been no more cases in Europe. The deadliest Marburg virus epidemic occurred in Angola in 2005, killing more than 200 people. Individual cases have been reported in Congo, Kenya, South Africa, and Uganda.