In Africa, an outbreak of Marburg viral disease with a mortality rate of 90%: there is no cure or vaccine for it

Marburg virus disease (a disease caused by the Marburg virus) affects West Africa. The World Health Organization (WHO) confirms that Equatorial Guinea is experiencing its first-ever outbreak. Writes about it Fox News.

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The WHO confirmed the presence of a "relative" of Ebola after samples were analyzed in a laboratory in Senegal. The organization said it was sending experts as well as protective equipment to help officials fight the outbreak, which had already included 9 deaths and 16 cases with symptoms, including fever, fatigue, diarrhea and vomiting, as of the beginning of the week.

“Marburg is very contagious. Thanks to the swift and decisive action by the authorities in Equatorial Guinea to confirm the disease, the emergency response can be launched in full force so that we can save lives and stop the spread of the virus as soon as possible,” said WHO Regional Director for Africa Dr Matshidiso Moeti.

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The WHO announced the outbreak on 13 February. On the same day, officials in Cameroon said they had found two cases of the virus. Cases were also in Olamza, which is located on the border with Equatorial Guinea.

Public health delegate Robert Maturin Bijang reportedly said the patients are a boy and a girl, both 16 years old, and that officials have identified 42 contacts.

“Contact tracing, as you know, is the cornerstone of the response,” said the WHO representative in Equatorial Guinea. “We redeployed the COVID-19 teams that were there for contact tracing and quickly upgraded them.”

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There is currently no approved vaccine or treatment for Marburg virus. The WHO states that chances of survival may be improved by treating individual symptoms and rehydrating with oral or intravenous fluids.

The disease, like the related Ebola, originated in bats. Primary human infection occurs as a result of prolonged exposure to mines or caves inhabited by colonies of Rousettus bats. It can be spread among people through close contact with infected body fluids and surfaces. And it can be incredibly deadly: 90% of the 252 reported cases of the 2004 outbreak in Angola died.

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