Filenews 18 February 2023
Regarding the cases of Marburg virus disease recorded in Equatorial Guinea and other African countries, the Ministry of Health informs that the Medical and Public Health Services are closely monitoring the data on the course of the virus and there will be a new announcement to inform the citizens, if necessary.
As stated in a relevant announcement of the Ministry of Health, confirmed cases have so far been reported only in the province of Kie Ntem in Equatorial Guinea (https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/watch/marburg-equatorial-guinea).
The World Health Organization (WHO) is working with local health authorities to identify cases and conduct contact tracing.
Marburg hemorrhagic fever virus belongs to the same family as Ebola, the other pathogen that causes hemorrhagic fever. It is basically a zoonosis, i.e. it is transmitted from animals to humans. However, it can also be transmitted from person to person, mainly after contact with blood or patient secretions.
According to the US CDC, the risk level for travelers is at the lowest level and those visiting the affected area are advised to:
- They avoid contact with sick people who have symptoms such as fever, muscle pain and rash.
- Avoid contact with blood and other body fluids.
- They avoid contact with fruit bats and the caves and mines where they live.
- Avoid contact with primates (e.g. chimpanzees).
- Travellers in that area should self-isolate and seek medical attention immediately if they experience fever, chills, muscle pain, rash, sore throat, diarrhoea, weakness, vomiting, stomach pain, or unexplained bleeding or bruising during or after travel (up to 21 days).
It is emphasized that the Medical Services have recently updated the relevant protocols and the action plan for the management of cases of haemorrhagic fever.
