'Ebola-like' Marburg virus cases detected in Ghana

GHANA: Cases of the fatal Ebola-like Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) have been detected in Ghana, authorities confirmed over the weekend as the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared an outbreak in the West African nation.

Two patients from Ghana’s southern Ashanti region who later died tested positive for Marburg virus on July 10. Their results were verified by a laboratory in Senegal, Ghana Health Service (GHS) revealed in a statement Sunday, according to the outlet. MVD, formerly known as Marburg hemorrhagic fever, is a severe illness with symptoms that include headache, fever, muscle pains and bleeding, among others, according to the WHO. Its fatality rate can vary from 24% all the way up to 88%.

The two Ghanian patients experienced diarrhea, fever, nausea and vomiting before dying, the WHO said.

As both men were unrelated, it has been suggested that the disease is spreading more widely.

The Marburg virus is transmitted to people from fruit bats and spreads between humans through the transmission of bodily fluids and contact with contaminated surfaces, according to the WHO.

There have been a dozen major Marburg outbreaks since 1967, mostly in southern and eastern Africa. Fatality rates have varied from 24% to 88% in past outbreaks depending on the virus strain and case management, according to the WHO.

– INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS TIMES