On Wednesday, the World Health Organization (WHO) called on Equatorial Guinea to report cases of the Marburg virus to it due to fears of more widespread contamination than announced.
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On March 23, the WHO mentioned seven confirmed deaths and announced that it was aware of 20 cases “probably” caused by this hemorrhagic fever, all of whom died.
“There have been 13 positive cases since the start of the epidemic, including two hospitalized with mild symptoms, one patient cured (…) and a total of 825 contacts have been followed”, detailed the Ministry of Health on Twitter.
The UN agency was alarmed by a potential “large-scale epidemic”, which could affect Gabon and Cameroon in particular, neighbors of this Central African state. Cases have been identified outside the province of Kié-Ntem where it had caused the first known deaths on January 7, until reaching Bata, the economic capital of the country.
The WHO had announced the deployment of “additional experts” adding that it “is also helping Gabon and Cameroon to strengthen preparedness and response to the epidemic”. Tanzania also announced 9 days ago the start of an outbreak of Marburg, with five deaths.
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This virus is transmitted to humans by fruit bats and spreads among humans through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people, or with surfaces and materials. The fatality rate can reach 88%.
There are no approved vaccines or antiviral treatments to treat the virus. However, supportive care – oral or intravenous rehydration – and treatment of specific symptoms increase the chances of survival.