An infection with the Marburg virus has been found for the first time in West Africa. The pathogen is considered highly contagious and life-threatening.
Conakry – In the West African state of Guinea, authorities have announced an outbreak of the deadly Marburg fever. As the World Health Organization announced on Monday evening (August 9th, 2021), it is the first case ever in West Africa.
Less than two months after the end of an Ebola outbreak in the state, the highly contagious fever was discovered in a patient who has since died in southern Guinea in the Guéckedou prefecture. Initial on-site investigations were confirmed by the Pasteur Institute in Senegal’s capital Dakar. The search for contact persons for the patient has been initiated. Containing the outbreak is made more difficult by the simultaneous fight against the coronavirus.
Outbreak in West Africa: Marburg virus related to Ebola
The Marburg virus comes from the same pathogen family as the Ebola virus. Similar to an Ebola infection, bat-borne Marburg fever usually leads to a high fever and internal bleeding. It is considered highly contagious and is transmitted to other people primarily through direct contact with body fluids. No antiviral drugs or vaccinations against the Marburg virus are currently approved, the WHO said in a statement. (tvd / dpa / AFP)
