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Ghana Health Service issues Marburg virus alert

Marburg is a highly virulent disease that causes haemorrhagic fever, and has a fatality ratio of up to 88%. It has been detected in Guinea

The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has issued a new alert as the deadly Marburg virus is confirmed in Guinea.

Marburg is a highly virulent disease that causes haemorrhagic fever, and has a fatality ratio of up to 88%, according to the World Health Organization. The Marburg virus is in the same family as the one that causes Ebola disease.

The director general of the GHS, Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, said measures have been put in place to control the virus in Ghana.

“Generally, Ghana’s epidemic preparedness and response system has been in action since the onset of COVID-19 and [they] are the same structures for response to any cases of Ebola or Marburg.

“Ghana has the capacity to diagnose both disease conditions,” he said.

Dr Kuma-Aboagye noted that although land borders remain closed, surveillance will be strengthened, particularly along the Western border, to foil illegal entry into Ghana.

New Marburg Alert by KM on Scribd

Kuma Aboagye said that just like with COVID-19, the mode of transmission for both Ebola and Marburg viruses is by direct contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person who is showing symptoms or has recently died from the disease.

He advised Ghanaians to adhere strictly to the safety protocols, washing their hands regularly, maintaining physical distance, wearing face masks, and coughing or sneezing when needed into a bent elbow or tissue.

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