Two people have died from the Marburg virus in Ghana, with up to 100 people in quarantine

The Marburg virus traces back to monkeys imported from Uganda. But it has been linked to many other animals since then.

It started with two large outbreaks of the virus, which occurred simultaneously in the German town of Marburg and Frankfurt, and in Belgrade, Serbia.

This led the World Health Organisation to formally identify the virus in 1967, after 31 people became infected.

In fact, there was an outbreak in 2005, where over 300 people were killed in Angola.

The virus’ common symptoms include fever, body aches, diarrhea, vomiting, and extreme blood loss.

In Europe, one person has died in the past 40 years. Likewise, in the U.S. one person has died after returning from Africa.

Should I be concerned?

Ghana is in the grips of a Marburg outbreak, where two people have been killed. It is understood fatality rates range from 24 to 88 per cent.

The World Health Organisation says the virus can get out of hand, but notes local health authorities have responded swiftly.

Patients have been described as “ghost-like”, with a “deep set of eyes”, and “extreme lethargy”.

Critically, there are no vaccines or antiviral treatments approved for the Marburg virus.

However, the World Health Organisation believes rehydration with oral or intravenous fluids, and the treatment of specific symptoms, improves survival.

How can I avoid it?

People remain infectious with Marburg for as long as their blood contains the virus.

The disease spreads through direct contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people.

The World Health Organisation says healthcare workers have been infected while previously treating patients.

Similar to the Covid-19 pandemic, the World Health Organisation recommends “good outbreak control” that uses a “range of interventions, namely case management, surveillance and contact tracing”.