Equatorial Guinea: Confirmed Marburg virus cases in Kie-Ntem Province in February

Event

Equatorial Guinean health authorities have confirmed the country’s first outbreak of Marburg virus, with 16 suspected cases (one confirmed) reported Feb. 13. More than 4,000 people have been placed under quarantine to prevent disease transmission. The outbreak was first detected in the Nsok-Nsomo district in Kie-Ntem Province on Feb. 7, when preliminary tests were conducted following the deaths of nine people who showed signs of hemorrhagic fever. Health authorities have reported that preliminary investigations found that the deaths were linked to attendance at a funeral ceremony. Advance teams have been deployed in the affected districts to trace contacts, isolate, and provide medical care to people showing symptoms of the disease. This represents the most complete data available as of Feb. 16.

Context

Marburg virus disease is a highly virulent disease that is transmitted through close personal contact and exposure to excretions and bodily fluids from infected patients - particularly blood, secretions, organs, or other bodily fluids of infected people. Infection can also result from prolonged exposure to mines or caves inhabited by fruit bat colonies. Symptoms typically appear 2-21 days after exposure and include severe headache, muscle aches and pains, diarrhea, abdominal pain and cramping, nausea, and vomiting. Many patients develop severe hemorrhagic manifestations (like bloody stool and bleeding from the nose and gums) 5-7 days after the onset of symptoms. In fatal cases, death occurs most often 8-9 days after symptom onset, usually preceded by severe blood loss and shock. Severe cases will need to be hospitalized and placed under intensive care to receive frequent intravenous fluids or oral rehydration solutions containing electrolytes. There is currently no Marburg virus vaccine available; however, vaccine candidates are being tested but are likely to only become available in many years.

Advice

Observe strict health precautions, including frequent handwashing with soap and water or with hand sanitizer. Deter from visiting any locations that require prolonged exposure to mines or caves that may be inhabited by fruit bats. Avoid contact with animals and items that may have come in contact with an infected person's blood or bodily fluids.