Equatorial Guinea confirms Marburg deaths after push by WHO

The provisional toll of the Marburg virus illness epidemic that has been raging for greater than two months in Equatorial Guinea stands at 9 confirmed deaths, the Ministry of Well being stated on Thursday.

On Wednesday, the World Well being Group (WHO) referred to as on Equatorial Guinea to report instances of the Marburg virus to it attributable to fears of extra widespread contamination than introduced.

On March 23, the WHO talked about seven confirmed deaths and introduced that it was conscious of 20 instances “in all probability” attributable to this hemorrhagic fever, all of whom died.

As of March 28, “9 deaths” have been “confirmed by the laboratory” for the reason that begin of the epidemic of this cousin virus of Ebola and nearly as lethal as him.

“There have been 13 constructive instances for the reason that begin of the epidemic, together with two hospitalized with delicate signs, one affected person cured (…) and a complete of 825 contacts have been adopted”, detailed the Ministry of Well being on Twitter.

The UN company was alarmed by a possible “large-scale epidemic”, which might have an effect on Gabon and Cameroon specifically, neighbors of this Central African state. Instances have been recognized exterior the province of Kié-Ntem the place it had precipitated the primary recognized deaths on January 7, till reaching Bata, the financial capital of the nation.

The WHO had introduced the deployment of “further specialists” including that it “can be serving to Gabon and Cameroon to strengthen preparedness and response to the epidemic”. Tanzania additionally introduced 9 days in the past the beginning of an outbreak of Marburg, with 5 deaths.

This virus is transmitted to people by fruit bats and spreads amongst people by way of direct contact with the bodily fluids of contaminated individuals, or with surfaces and supplies. The fatality fee can attain 88%.

There aren’t any accepted vaccines or antiviral remedies to deal with the virus. Nevertheless, supportive care – oral or intravenous rehydration – and remedy of particular signs improve the possibilities of survival.