Outbreak of Marburg Virus Disease in Equatorial Guinea Raises Concerns

Nine Confirmed Cases of Marburg Virus Disease Reported in Equatorial Guinea

Equatorial Guinea, a country situated in Central Africa, is grappling with a deadly Marburg virus disease (MVD) outbreak. The Ministry of Health of Equatorial Guinea declared MVD as an outbreak in NsokNsomo and Ebebiyin districts in mid-January. Since then, there have been nine confirmed cases of MVD, with 20 more likely to be suspected.

Spread of Marburg Virus Disease in Provinces Near the Borders of Cameroon and Gabon

According to reports, the new cases are around 150 kilometers apart and close to the borders of Cameroon and Gabon, suggesting the spread of the virus. The provinces where the new cases have been reported include Kie Ntem, Littoral, and Centro Sur. The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa has emphasized the need to scale up response efforts for quickly stopping transmission and averting potential largescale outbreak and loss of life.

Symptoms and Risk Profile of Marburg Virus Disease

Marburg virus is zoonotic and can be spread through the bodily fluids of infected people or contact with infected primates or fruit bats. It has an incubation period of 2 to 21 days with symptoms including fever, headache, muscle aches, chills, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, rash, liver failure, multiorgan dysfunction, and massive hemorrhaging. MVD is related to Ebola virus and has a high fatality risk, with seven confirmed cases and all probable cases leading to death.

WHO Response to Marburg Virus Disease Outbreak

WHO is working closely with authorities to enhance disease surveillance and carry out further epidemiological investigations to help curb the spread of MVD. Additional WHO experts in epidemiology, logistics, health operations, and infection prevention and control will be deployed to support the response efforts in the affected area. WHO has recommended measures for outbreak containment including safe burial of the deceased, separating infected people from healthy people, monitoring of people in contact with infected persons for 21 days, and good hygiene.

Lack of Vaccines and Treatments for Marburg Virus Disease

No vaccines or treatments currently exist for MVD, but vaccines are in development. Marburg is highly virulent and causes haemorrhagic fever, with a fatality ratio of up to 88%. It is in the same family as Ebola virus and is transmitted to people from fruit bats.

Urgent Need for Action to Stop Transmission of Marburg Virus Disease

The outbreak of MVD in Equatorial Guinea is a serious concern to global health authorities. Untraced contacts and lack of information within the communities could be important transmission levers that must be managed urgently. The Ministry of Health of Equatorial Guinea has moved the national response coordination to Bata under instructions, including all subcommissions. Several agencies, including the Equatorial Guinea Red Cross Society (EGRCS) and International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC), are supporting the response efforts.

In conclusion, health authorities need to act fast to contain the Marburg virus disease outbreak in Equatorial Guinea before it spreads further across borders. With no vaccines or treatments currently available, every effort should be made to prevent further MVD infections through enhanced surveillance measures and community engagement initiatives.

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