Attachments
What happened, where and when?
From January 7th to February 6th, 2023 the Ministry of Health of Equatorial Guinea identified a cluster of deaths in two remote districts of the continental region of Equatorial Guinea (Nosrk Nsomo and Ebebiyim) where a total of 9 deaths occurred with similar symptoms related to viral hemorrhagic fever. Equatorial Guinea currently does not have the laboratory capacity to test for VHF, hence samples from those who were sick and from close contacts were sent to Gabon and Senegal. The samples sent for testing in Gabon were negative, but the out of the eight samples sent to Dakar, Senegal, one tested positive for the Marburg virus.
On 13 February 2023, the Equatorial Guinea MoH officially declared the outbreak. (https://www.afro.who.int/coun-tries/equatorial-guinea/news/equatorial-guinea-confirms-first-ever-marburg-virus-disease-outbreak)
As of 17 February, 1 case is confirmed, 8 are probable (deaths from individuals with VHF symptoms that were not tested), and 16 suspect cases in isolation (2 are showing signs and symptoms). 21 additional are considered secondary contacts. There is restricted access to Kie Ntem district, with an estimated 4,235 people in quarantine.
The affected district is located in the north-east of Equatorial Guinea mainland, bordering Cameroon and Gabon.
Several suspected cases were identified in Cameroon, but all samples were negative for the Marburg virus. There is no notification of cases or symptoms related to Marburg on the Gabonese territory.
Marburg Virus Disease (MVM) is a highly virulent disease that causes haemorrhagic fever, with a case fatality rate of up to 88%. It belongs to the same family of viruses that causes Ebola virus disease. The disease caused by the Marburg virus begins abruptly, with a high fever, severe headache and severe malaise. Many patients develop severe haemorrhagic symptoms within seven days. The virus is transmitted to humans by fruit bats and spreads among humans through direct contact with the body fluids of infected people, surfaces, and materials. There is no approved vaccine or antiviral treatment for the virus. However, supportive care - rehydration with oral or intravenous fluids - and treatment of specific symptoms improve survival.