Equatorial Guinea: Authorities confirm cases of Marburg virus in the country March

Event

Equatoguinean health authorities have confirmed the first Marburg virus outbreak in the country, with nine confirmed cases and 20 suspected cases reported on March 21. The province of Litoral (4 confirmed cases) is the most affected, followed by Kie-Ntem (2 confirmed cases) and Centre-Sur (2 confirmed cases). The outbreak was first detected in Nsok-Nsomo district, Kie-Ntem province, on February 7, when preliminary tests were carried out following the deaths of nine people who showed signs of hemorrhagic fever. Health authorities said preliminary investigations revealed the deaths were linked to attendance at a funeral ceremony. Advance teams have been deployed to the affected districts to trace contacts, isolate and provide medical care to those showing symptoms of the disease. This represents the most comprehensive data available as of March 23.

Context

Marburg virus disease is a highly virulent disease that is transmitted by close personal contact and by exposure to excretions and bodily fluids of infected patients – particularly the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected persons . Infection can also result from prolonged exposure to mines or caves inhabited by colonies of fruit bats. Symptoms usually appear 2 to 21 days after exposure and include severe headache, muscle aches, diarrhea, abdominal pain and cramps, nausea and vomiting. Many patients develop severe bleeding manifestations (such as bloody stools and bleeding from the nose and gums) 5 to 7 days after the onset of symptoms. In fatal cases, death most often occurs 8 to 9 days after the onset of symptoms, usually preceded by severe blood loss and shock. Severe cases will need to be hospitalized and placed in intensive care to receive frequent intravenous fluids or oral rehydration solutions containing electrolytes. There is currently no Marburg virus vaccine available; however, candidate vaccines are being tested but will likely not be available for many years.

Advice

Observe strict sanitary precautions, including frequent hand washing with soap and water or hand sanitizer. Discourage visiting any places that require prolonged exposure to mines or caves that may be inhabited by fruit bats. Avoid contact with animals and objects that may have come in contact with an infected person’s blood or bodily fluids.