Ghana declares end of Marburg virus outbreak – WHO

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Ghana has declared an end to an outbreak of Marburg virus disease which was confirmed nearly two months ago and has caused two deaths, the World Health Organization announced on Friday.

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The Ministry of Health made the announcement after no new cases of Ebola-like illness were reported in the past 42 days, WHO said in a statement.

No vaccine treatment exists for Marburg, which is almost as deadly as Ebola. Symptoms included high fever as well as internal and external bleeding.

“A total of three confirmed cases, including two deaths, were recorded during the outbreak declared on July 7, 2022 after laboratory confirmation of the virus,” the WHO said.

The cases from Ghana were the first detected in West Africa.

There have been outbreaks and sporadic cases in other parts of Africa – in Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea, Kenya, South Africa and Uganda.

“Any outbreak of Marburg is a major concern,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa.

"Despite having no previous experience with the disease, Ghana's response has been rapid and robust."

WHO said it was working with Ghana's health authorities to maintain surveillance, improve detection of the virus and better prepare for a possible resurgence.

The viral illness strikes sufferers suddenly, triggering high fever and severe headaches. Patients may develop uncontrollable bleeding within days.

Death rates for confirmed cases have ranged from 24% to 88% in previous outbreaks, depending on virus strain and case management, according to WHO.