WHO: Equatorial Guinea Declare End of Marburg Outbreak

OnJune 8, the World Health Organization {WHO) declared an end to the Marburg virus disease {MVD) outbreak in Equatorial Guinea. Since the first case of Marburg in Equatorial Guinea was confirmed in February 2023, the U.S Embassy in Malabo has

worked closely withthe U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention {CDC), the World Health Organization, the United States Agency for International Development {USAID), UNICEF, and the Equatoguinean Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to deploy epidemiologists, laboratory scientists, and experts on viral hemorrhagic fevers. These scientists, epidemiologists, and public health professionals provided a frontline response to the outbreak. They also offered training and skills-building with local healthcare workers to increase capacity to respond to future outbreaks.

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In total, the U.S. government contributed more than $3 million {1,815,163,900 CFA) in funds, laboratory equipment, resources, and personnel in response to the MVD outbreak in the areas of surveillance, contact tracing, laboratory diagnostics, risk communication, infection prevention and control, waste management, border health, and safe and dignified burials. Throughout the response, U.S. experts worked closely with local experts, healthcare workers, volunteers, and citizens from the affected regions. Their cooperation, resilience, and dedication were remarkable.

The U.S. government is committed to continuing our support for the WHO and Equatorial Guinea as they maintain surveillance measures and plan a response to future outbreaks of this or any other disease of concern. The U.S. Embassy in Malabo stands ready to work with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to provide additional training to strengthen the Ministry’s readiness and to provide capacity-building programs to health sector workers to manage future health crises.