New deadly virus strikes Africa

Ethiopia has confirmed its first case of Marburg virus disease, bringing the total number of cases in the country to nine. World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Friday (November 14) that the rapid action by Ethiopia’s health ministry and other agencies was commendable. “This rapid action shows that the country is taking the issue very seriously and wants to bring the outbreak under control in a short time,” he said.
A day earlier, the WHO said Ethiopian health officials were investigating several cases of suspected viral hemorrhagic fever, which was later confirmed to be Marburg virus. The virus is a member of the Ebola family, a group called Filoviridae. Experts say it is more severe than Ebola.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said Marburg is a “rare but deadly” hemorrhagic fever. It is often fatal. The virus first emerged in fruit bats in Egypt. It can be spread by touching objects contaminated with bodily fluids from an infected person or by touching objects contaminated with fluids, such as clothing or bed sheets.
Symptoms include fever, skin rash and severe bleeding. The CDC says there is no specific medicine or vaccine for Marburg. Treatment is limited to supportive care, rest and hydration. The outbreak has occurred in Ethiopia’s Omo region. Concern is growing because the area is close to South Sudan. “South Sudan is not far away and their health system is weak,” said Jean Kasaya, director-general of the Africa CDC. “So the risk could be high.”
No other African country has reported cases of Marburg in recent weeks. WHO chief Tedros said the UN agency is “actively supporting Ethiopia.” We are helping treat those affected and working to reduce the risk of potential spread in border areas.
The Ethiopian Ministry of Health said that the infected people are receiving treatment in quarantine. Work is underway to identify those who have come into contact with them. In addition, awareness-raising and mass screening are being carried out locally. The ministry urged the public to remain calm, follow the instructions of health officials and seek immediate medical advice if they develop symptoms of the disease.
Source – Al Jazeera