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Marburg virus Disease reported in Ghana

  • Posted By
    10Pointer
  • Categories
    Science & Technology
  • Published
    12th Jul, 2022

Context

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), two suspected cases of Marburg virus disease were reported in Ghana. 

Key-Highlights

  • In the preliminary analysis, samples were taken from two patients belonging to the southern Ashanti region of Ghana. 
    • Both patients died as they were positive.
  • To confirm the presence of the virus, samples have now been sent to the research centre in Senegal.
  • No new cases have been reported after these two deaths were reported.

About Marburg virus disease

  • The Marburg Virus disease is an infectious haemorrhagic fever. 
  • It belongs to the same family as Ebola. 
  • The virus is transmitted to people via fruit bats. 
  • People to people transmission also takes place, if the uninfected person comes in direct contact with bodily fluids of the infected person or surfaces. 
  • Marburg virus has an incubation period of 2-21 days. 
  • This disease is potentially very harmful and deadly. 
  • Fatality rates in previous outbreaks have ranged from 24% to 88%.

Symptoms

  • Common symptoms of Marburg virus disease include- high fever, severe malaise, severe headache, Muscle aches and pains. 
  • Patients may also see severe watery diarrhoea, nausea & vomiting, abdominal pain & cramping on the third day following the contracting. 
  • These symptoms persist for a week.

Treatment 

  • No treatment or vaccine has been developed for Marburg, yet. 
    • Patients are treated through rehydration with oral or intravenous fluids.

Verifying, please be patient.

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