ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA, 9 August 2021: On 5 August 2021, the Republic of Guinea through its Ministry of Health (MoH) reported a confirmed death due to Marburg virus disease (MVD) in the southern Guéckédou prefecture. This marks the first report of MVD in the country and the Western Africa Region.
The deceased was a 46-year-old male, who presented to a local health centre with fever, headache, fatigue, abdominal pain, and bleeding from the gums on 1 August. Samples were collected and tested positive for Marburg virus at both the Guéckédou and Conakry national laboratories. On 9 August 2021, Institute Pasteur in Senegal further confirmed the result. This report comes just two months after Guinea declared an end to their 2nd Ebola outbreak that began in February 2021 in Guéckédou prefecture.
MVD is a highly fatal, zoonotic haemorrhagic disease caused by the Marburg virus. Human to human transmission occurs through direct contact with body fluids from infected persons, or contact with equipment and other materials contaminated with infectious blood or tissues infected blood, body fluids of infected people, and contaminated surfaces or materials.
No vaccine or specific treatment for MVD is available – supportive therapy should be initiated for any individuals presenting with MVD. Ebola or other viral haemorrhagic fever infection prevention and control protocols should be used to prevent transmission[1].
A national investigation team, supported by partners, has been deployed to the Guéckédou prefecture for further investigation. A total of 155 contacts have been identified and are currently being monitored. No suspect cases have been identified to date. The African Union Commission, through the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), has engaged the Government of Guinea to support response efforts being put in place by the MoH to identify any additional cases and prevent the spread of MVD.
Media inquiries:
Wynne Musabayana, Head of Communication, Directorate of Information and Communication; AU Commission | Tel: +251 922 406 157 | Email: MUSABAYANAW@africa-union.org
About Africa CDC
Africa CDC is a specialized technical institution of the African Union which supports Member States in their efforts to strengthen health systems and improve surveillance, emergency response, prevention and control of diseases.
Learn more at: http://www.africacdc.org
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The African Union spearheads Africa’s development and integration in close collaboration with African Union Member States, the Regional Economic Communities and African citizens. AU Vision: to accelerate progress towards an integrated, prosperous and inclusive Africa, at peace with itself, playing a dynamic role in the continental and global arena, effectively driven by an accountable, efficient and responsive Commission.
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For further information:
Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org I Website: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia.
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[1] For more information, please reference the WHO page on MVD: https://www.who.int/health-topics/marburg-virus-disease
