Ghana on Friday declared an end to the outbreak of Marburg virus disease, a hemorrhagic fever nearly as deadly as Ebola, two months after recording three cases, two of them fatal, the World Health Organization said ( WHO).
"Ghana's Ministry of Health has declared the outbreak over after no cases have been recorded for 42 days ," the WHO said in a statement.
"Although the country has no experience with the virus, Ghana's response has been swift and robust ," said Dr Matshidiso Moeti , WHO Regional Director for Africa, as quoted in the statement.
This was the first time haemorrhagic fever was detected in Ghana , which has confirmed a total of 3 cases, including two fatalities, in this outbreak declared on July 7.
"Marburg is a scary disease because it is highly infectious and deadly. There is no vaccine or antiviral treatment. Any outbreak of Marburg is a major concern ," Ms Moeti added.
Marburg virus disease is transmitted to humans by fruit bats and spreads among humans through direct contact with bodily fluids of infected people, or with surfaces and materials.
The WHO before announced in September 2021 the end of the first episode of the Marburg virus in West Africa , 42 days after the identification of a single case in Guinea .
Sporadic outbreaks and cases had in the past been reported elsewhere in Africa, including South Africa , Angola , Kenya , Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo .
The disease begins suddenly, with high fever , intense headaches and possible malaise. Case fatality rates have ranged from 24% to 88% in previous outbreaks, depending on virus strain and case management, according to the WHO.
Although there are no approved vaccines or antiviral treatments to treat the virus, oral or intravenous rehydration and treatment of specific symptoms improves survival rates.
Tags:
AFRICA-AUSTRALIA UPDATE