A SUSPECTED case of Marburg has been detected in the southeastern African country of Malawi, raising further concerns of international spread.
Marburg virus is an infectious disease that has a 90 per cent fatality rate and, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), epidemic potential.
GettyA suspected case of Marburg has been detected in a southeastern African country raising concerns of further spread[/caption]
Map of confirmed Marburg deaths in Africa since February 2023
Central African countries, Equatorial Guinea and Tanzania are facing their first known outbreaks of the bug, for which no vaccine or treatment exists.
At least 35 cases and up to 32 deaths (when including probable) have now been detected since the outbreak was declared in mid-February, official health data suggests.
Yesterday (April 13), Malawi health authorities confirmed one suspected case of the bug.
According to Ministry of Health spokesperson, samples taken from the individual have been sent to South Africa to determine the disease.
It comes as cases of Marburg have spread from rural districts in Equatorial Guinea to the main port of the African nation, Bata, increasing the risk of international transmission.
Previously, the WHO said the “the risk of international spread [of Marburg] cannot be ruled out”.
At least four cases have now been detected in the city, which has a population of around 200,000 people, an international airport and links to several neighbouring countries.
Last week, a mysterious ‘nosebleed’ disease claimed the lives of three people in Burundi, west Africa.
The symptoms appear to point towards some sort of viral haemorrhagic fever, which damages the walls of tiny blood vessels making them leak, such as Marburg and Ebola.
Several countries have since urged citizens not to travel to African countries affected by the Marburg virus outbreak, over fears of international spread.
These countries include Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Kuwait.
Australia and the US are urging travellers to exercise a high degree of caution when visiting Equatorial Guinea and Tanzania, also affected by the outbreak.
They have also urged citizens and residents to avoid nonessential travel to the provinces where the outbreak is ongoing.
Ho Chi Minh City, in Vietnam, has implemented compulsory screening for those people arriving from African countries.
The 13 symptoms of the Marburg virus
Symptoms can vary depending on how long you’ve had the bug
After two days:
fever
chills
headache
myalgia
After five days:
chest rash
jaundice
inflammation of the pancreas
severe weight loss
delirium
shock
liver failure
massive hemorrhaging
and multi-organ dysfunction
Source: Centre for Disease Control