Dr Patrick Kuma-Adoagye, DG of GHS
Ghanaians have been cautioned against a new virus known as Marburg virus. The virus is reported to have killed one patient in Guinea.
A statement issued by the Ghana Health Service (GHS) said the rare but highly infectious virus was detected in a patient who died on August 2 in Guinea. It noted that the virus behaves like the Ebola virus that was detected in the sub-region some years ago.
The Marburg virus is transmitted to humans from fruit bats and can then be spread from human to human through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people or surfaces and materials contaminated with these fluids.
Symptoms
It said the symptoms begin abruptly, with a high fever, severe headache, and malaise. Many patients develop severe haemorthagic signs within seven days.
Case fatality rates have varied from 24 per cent to 88 per cent in past outbreaks, depending on virus strain and case management, it said.
It said there are no vaccines or antiviral treatments to treat Marburg. However, there are treatments for specific symptoms that can improve patients’ chances for survival.
It urged all regions, districts, and health facilities to initiate preparedness and response plans for Marburg.
“All Regional and District Public Health Emergency Management Committees should include Marburg on their agenda.
“Additionally, regions, district health facilities, port health units at all border posts particularly along the Western border and all landing beaches to heighten surveillance for Marburg using the standard case definition attached,” it stated.
It said Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research has the capacity for the confirmation of Marburg virus so samples from suspected cases must be transported there.
Preventive measures
It reminded Ghanaians and residents in Ghana about the need to protect themselves from the disease.
The preventive measures for the Marburg virus include avoiding contact with body fluids (such as urine, saliva, sweat, faeces, vomit, breast milk, and semen) of people who show any of the symptoms above.
“The public is hereby advised to practice hand hygiene: frequent hand washing with soap and under running water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Do not handle items that may have come in contact with an infected person’s body fluids, avoid contact with dead bodies, including participating in funeral or burial rituals of suspected or confirmed Marburg cases,” it advised.
It again urged Ghanaians to seek medical care immediately if one develops a fever (body temperature 38°C or above) or other symptoms such as severe headache, fatigue, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain, or unexplained bleeding or bruising.
It reminded the general public that under no circumstance should public or private transport be used in transporting a suspected Marburg case.
“But rather call for support from the District Director of Health Service of respective Districts, Municipalities or Metropolis for the transfer of such persons to a health facility,” the statement said.
