Ghana Marburg Outbreak Declared Over
The World Health
Organization has declared an end to Ghana's outbreak of the deadly Marburg
virus after more than six weeks without any new cases.
Three cases of the
virus were recorded in the West African country in late June, killing two
people.
Marburg is a highly
infectious viral hemorrhagic fever in the same family as Ebola. The symptoms of
Marburg include diarrhea, fever, nausea and vomiting.
Speaking at a press
conference Friday in Accra, head of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Patrick
Kuma-Aboagye, said having passed the mandatory 42-day period without a new
case, the country is now free of the virus.
"I do hereby state
that, the appropriate outbreak reasons to Marburg disease have been implemented
during the 42 days, following the last negative PCR test result for the sole
surviving patient with recommendation from WHO," he said. "Ghana has,
therefore, successfully interrupted the first Marburg virus disease outbreak
and hereby declare that the outbreak is over."
A total of 198 people
were tested for the virus when it first broke in Ghana. They all tested
negative.
It is the second time
Marburg made a West African appearance. The first outbreak was in Guinea in
September of last year.
Marburg has also
appeared in Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, South Africa
and Uganda.
There are no vaccines
or antiviral treatments for Marburg, but WHO says supportive care — rehydration
with oral or intravenous fluids — and treatment of specific symptoms improves
the rate of survival.
VOA
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