This month, Ghana confirmed its first two cases of the deadly Marburg virus, a highly infectious disease in the same family as the virus that causes Ebola.
In July 2022 Ghana confirmed its first two cases of the deadly Marburg virus, a highly infectious disease in the same family as the virus that causes Ebola. The Conversation Africa’s Wale Fatade and Usifo Omozokpea asked virologist Oyewale Tomori about its origin and how people can protect themselves against the disease.
After the initial outbreaks, other cases have been reported in different parts of the world. Most were in Africa – Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, South Africa, and more recently in Guinea and Ghana. Serological studies have also revealed evidence of past Marburg virus infection in Nigeria.
There can also be human-to-human transmission via direct contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people, and with surfaces and materials. This includes materials like bedding, and clothing contaminated with these fluids. Around the fifth day after the onset of symptoms, maculopapular rash, most prominent on the trunk , may appear. Nausea, vomiting, chest pain, a sore throat, abdominal pain, and diarrhea may appear. Symptoms become increasingly severe and can include jaundice, inflammation of the pancreas, severe weight loss, delirium, shock, liver failure, massive hemorrhaging, and multi-organ dysfunction.This tells us it’s quite a severe infection. The two people infected in Ghana both died.
Also, because of the similarities in the symptoms of many hemorrhagic fever diseases, especially during the early stages, there is a need for reliable laboratory confirmation of a case of Marburg virus infection. And once that is done – as with Ebola – the person must immediately be isolated and avoid contact with other people.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
UK needs urgent vaccine drive to curb monkeypox, campaigners sayTerrence Higgins Trust says action must be stepped up to prevent disease becoming endemic
Read more »
Monkeypox virus: what are the symptoms, is there a vaccine and should Australia be worried?Infectious disease was first recorded in 1970 but a surge in cases has led to global health emergency
Read more »
Monkeypox: US confirms first cases of virus in childrenCases of infant and toddler unrelated and likely from household transmission, say health authorities
Read more »
Firefighters scramble to contain Yosemite fires as new blaze erupts‘Exceptional fire conditions’ prompted authorities to order evacuations and road closures as damages mount
Read more »
Labor too must do whatever its takes to fight inflationOPINION: Treasurer Jim Chalmers needs to commit the government to the wage and budget restraint needed to reset the foundations for sustainable increases in Australian living standards.
Read more »
Covid hits a third of Australia’s aged care homes as 6,000 residents infectedProviders call for urgent support as 3,400 staff infected in 1,013 facilities and fears two-thirds of homes could soon have outbreaks
Read more »