Epidemic outbreak in Equatorial Guinea: 12 deaths caused by Marburg virus

Health authorities in Equatorial Guinea have announced that the Marburg virus has caused the deaths of at least 12 people since the outbreak began more than three months ago.

The Marburg virus continues to claim victims in Equatorial Guinea. According to the health ministry’s newsletter, 17 cases and 12 deaths were reported until April 21. In total, 116 contact cases are being monitored and 1,427 people have been considered contact cases since the start of the epidemic.

Marburg virus disease is a virulent disease that causes hemorrhagic fever and is one of the viral hemorrhagic fevers requiring evaluation under the International Health Regulations. Equatorial Guinea, affected for the first time in its history by this cousin virus of Ebola, is facing an outbreak of Marburg virus disease in four of its provinces, including in the city of Bata, the most populous in the country, which hosts an airport and an international port.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the country’s capacity to manage this outbreak must be strengthened. The WHO also indicated that the risk posed by this outbreak is very high at the national level, moderate at the regional level and low at the global level. This alarming situation highlights the need for an urgent and coordinated response to contain the spread of the virus and save lives.