The World Health Organization (WHO) announced eight more laboratory-confirmed cases of Marburg virus in Equatorial Guinea on Thursday, bringing the total number to nine, with 20 more probable cases since the outbreak began.
“Since the first outbreak notification was published on February 25, eight more laboratory-confirmed cases of Marburg disease have been diagnosed in Equatorial Guinea, bringing the total to nine laboratory-confirmed cases and 20 probable cases.” , read a statement released. this Thursday by the WHO.
“There have already been seven confirmed deaths in the laboratory, and all probable cases have died,” adds the WHO, noting that “of the new eight confirmed cases, two were from the province of Kié-Ntem, two from the coast and two from south-central provinces” and warns that “the areas that are reporting cases are separated by 150 kilometers, which suggests greater transmission of the virus.”
To these numbers are added the 11 people whose deaths are attributed to the disease, registered between January 7 and February 7, but who were not confirmed in the laboratory, so the total, initially, could be 19 ( 11 without laboratory confirmation). and seven laboratory confirmed).
The WHO has already mobilized experts from the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) to this country “to support the national response and strengthen community participation.”
At the national level, the organization warns, “the risk of this outbreak is very high at the national level, moderate at the regional level, and low at the international level.”
Marburg virus is a highly dangerous pathogen that causes high fever, often accompanied by multi-organ bleeding, and reduces the body’s ability to function properly.
It is a member of the filovirus family, which also includes the Ebola virus, which has caused several deadly epidemics in Africa.
The natural host for Marburg virus is an African fruit bat, which carries the virus but does not become ill. These animals can pass it on to primates living near them, including humans. Intrahuman transmission then occurs through contact with blood or other bodily fluids.
Death rates for confirmed cases have ranged from 24% to 88% in previous outbreaks, depending on the virus strain and treatment of patients, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
There is currently no vaccine or antiviral treatment, but experimental treatments, including blood products, immunotherapies and pharmacotherapies, are being evaluated, according to the WHO.
Source: TSF
