Two cases of the deadly Marburg virus have been identified in Ghana, the first time the Ebola-like disease has been found in the west African nation.
No treatment or vaccine exists for Marburg, which is almost as deadly as Ebola. Its symptoms include high fever as well as internal and external bleeding.
The World Health Organization declared Ghana’s first outbreak. “Health authorities have responded swiftly, getting a headstart preparing for a possible outbreak,” said the WHO regional director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti.
“This is good because without immediate and decisive action, Marburg can easily get out of hand. WHO is on the ground supporting health authorities and now that the outbreak is declared, we are marshalling more resources for the response.”
The WHO said Guinea had confirmed a single case in an outbreak declared over in September 2021.