Death Reported From Ebola-Like Marburg Virus in West Africa

Death Reported From Ebola-Like Marburg Virus in West Africa

13th of August, 2021 — For the first time in West Africa, a virus known as “Ebola’s deadly cousin” has been discovered.

According to the World Health Organization, the Marburg virus, which causes a serious sickness and belongs to the same virus family as Ebola, has been discovered in southwest Guinea near the borders of Sierra Leone and Liberia.

There has been one confirmed death, and 155 individuals are currently in mausoleums.
The Marburg virus was discovered in the same region of Guinea where an Ebola outbreak killed over 11,300 people between 2014 and 2016.According to the WHO, the region also experienced a devastating Ebola outbreak this year, which concluded in June.Because the symptoms of Marburg and other tropical diseases, such as malaria, are similar, it can be difficult to distinguish between them, according to the CDC.

According to the CDC, humans can contract the virus by coming into touch with fruit bats. Once an infection has begun, it can spread from person to person through bodily fluids, blood, and body tissue.

According to the WHO, death rates range from 24 percent to 88 percent, depending on factors such as the sort of care an infected person receives.
According to the group, a guy began experiencing symptoms in late July and sought treatment.

The Ministry of Health, the CDC, the WHO, and others are striving to stop the virus from spreading further by tracking contacts and monitoring cases in health care facilities and communities.
Due to Guinea’s fragile health-care infrastructure, other disease outbreaks have produced concerns.

However, the WHO stated that previous experience with big outbreaks, such as COVID-19, aided in the swift response to stop the spread of the Marburg virus.
“We commend Guinean health workers for their foresight and swift investigation. We must stop the Marburg virus in its tracks because it has the potential to spread far and wide,” tweeted Matshidiso Moeti, MD, World Health Organization regional director for Africa.

The disease is classified as “epidemic-prone” by the WHO, which means that it can quickly spread between people if not stopped. In other countries of Africa, such as Angola, Uganda, and South Africa, past Marburg epidemics have occurred.

However, the WHO claims that there is a low chance of global spread