Equatorial Guinea: Marburg virus kills 11, WHO launches appeal

An outbreak of Marburg virus disease has been raging in Equatorial Guinea for two months, causing the death of at least 11 people. Health authorities are on alert and the World Health Organization (WHO) is calling for strengthening the management of this health crisis.

According to the information bulletin of the Ministry of Health, the outbreak of Marburg virus disease has led to the death of at least 11 people in Equatorial Guinea. For two months, 15 positive cases have been recorded, none of which are hospitalized, while 385 contact cases are being monitored, a decrease compared to the previous week.

The cases were spotted in the province of Kié-Ntem (East), where the first deaths were reported on January 7, before affecting the economic capital Bata, where nine cases were confirmed. Marburg virus disease, a cousin of Ebola hemorrhagic fever, is very virulent and requires evaluation under the International Health Regulations.

The WHO said that Equatorial Guinea is facing an outbreak of this disease for the first time, and that the country’s capacity to manage this health crisis must be strengthened. The UN agency also stressed that the risk posed by this epidemic outbreak is very high at the national level, moderate at the regional level and low at the global level.

This outbreak of Marburg virus disease in Equatorial Guinea highlights the importance of surveillance and prevention of infectious diseases. WHO and local health authorities are mobilized to stem the spread of this virulent disease and protect the health of the population.