Guinea confirms West Africa’s first Marburg virus death, reports WHO
India TV NewsHealth authorities in West Africa have confirmed the region’s first death due to the Marburg virus, a highly infectious disease that causes haemorrhagic fever similar to Ebola, the World Health Organisation has said. The Marburg virus belongs to the same family as Ebola, and previously outbreaks have erupted elsewhere across Africa in Angola, Congo, Kenya, South Africa and Uganda. “The potential for the Marburg virus to spread far and wide means we need to stop it in its tracks,” said Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO’s regional director for Africa. “We are working with the health authorities to implement a swift response that builds on Guinea’s past experience and expertise in managing Ebola, which is transmitted in a similar way.” Marburg outbreaks start when an infected animal, such as a monkey or a fruit bat, passes the virus to a human.