Ghana has verified its first two instances of the fatal Marburg virus, a highly contagious disease belonging to the same virus family as Ebola.
It is stated that both patients just passed away in a hospital in the southern Ashanti region.
A laboratory in Senegal has confirmed that their positive test results from earlier this month have been confirmed.
Health officials in the West African nation have quarantined 98 individuals as possible contact cases.
The World Health Organization (WHO), which is assisting Ghana’s health officials, has complimented Ghana’s prompt response.
Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, the WHO’s head for Africa, stated, “This is a positive development because Marburg can quickly spiral out of control without swift and fast intervention.”
There is currently no cure for Marburg, however, drinking plenty of fluids and treating particular symptoms can increase a patient’s chances of survival.
The virus is transmitted to humans by fruit bats and spreads through body fluids between humans.
It is a severe, frequently fatal sickness characterized by headache, fever, muscle aches, bloody vomiting, and bleeding.
Officials are advising the public to avoid caves and thoroughly prepare all meat items before consumption.
This is the second time in West Africa that Marburg has been identified. Last year, there was one confirmed case in Guinea, but the outbreak was declared over five weeks later in September.
Previous outbreaks and sporadic cases have been reported in Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, South Africa, and Uganda, according to the World Health Organization.
In 2005, the virus killed over 200 people in Angola, making it the deadliest outbreak ever recorded, according to the global health organization.
The first Marburg epidemic occurred in Germany in 1967, resulting in seven deaths.
In 2005, the virus killed over 200 people in Angola, making it the deadliest outbreak ever recorded, according to the global health organization.
