The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has confirmed the presence of two cases of Marburg virus disease in Ghana.
The cases were first identified in the Ashanti Region on July 7, 2022.
In a statement signed by the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye said the cases were confirmed after testing at the Institute Pasteur in Dakar (IPD), Senegal.
According to the GHS, the test results corroborated the results from Noguchi Memorial Institute.
GHS said it has so far traced some 98 contacts, including those from Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District in the Savannah Region.
The persons are currently under quarantine and being monitored by the Ashanti and Savannah Regional Health Directorates of the Ghana Health Service.
It further noted that no new cases of MVD have been identified.
The Health Service says it is strengthening response measures to prevent any further cases, while working with community-based surveillance volunteers on the ground to report any unusual occurrences to the GHS for further action.
It further noted that the necessary additional logistics including personal protection equipment have been sent to the affected districts.
Marburg Virus Disease is a rare but severe haemorrhagic fever that affects both humans and non-human primates. It is caused by the Marburg virus. The virus is said to have similar symptoms as Ebola.
It is transmitted by infected persons or animals from direct contact with body fluids, blood, and other discharges from the affected person/animal.
The incubation period for the disease is two (2) to twenty-one (21) days.
Treatment is symptomatic. There is currently no vaccine available.
Prospective cases may present with fever, bloody diarrhea, bleeding from gums, bleeding into the skin, bleeding into eyes, and bloody urine.
The Public is therefore advised to avoid direct human contact and also with animals such as bats.
It further advises the public to stay away from persons showing the aforementioned symptoms and report such persons to the nearest health facility for appropriate assessment.
