2021 Guinea Marburg virus disease outbreak

The 2021 Marburg virus outbreak in Guinea is a current outbreak of the Marburg virus. There is currently 1 patient who already died due to Marburg's disease.

Timeline

The index case got its first symptoms on July 25. The patient died on August 2. On August 3, a PCR test has been conducted. On August 5, the test came back positive for the Marburg virus. On August 6, the WHO was informed of the first case. On August 9, the Institut Pasteur Dakar in Senegal provided reconfirmation that the result was positive for the Marburg virus.

Symptoms

After an incubation time of 5-10 days, the symptoms start. The first symptoms are a fever, chills, headache, and myalgia. After 5 days, a rash may appear. Nausea, vomiting, a sore throat, a chest pain, abdominal pain, and diarrhea may appear. Symptoms could then become very severe and life threatening which include jaundice, inflammation of the pancreas, severe weight loss, delirium, shock, massive hemorrhaging, and multi-organ disfunction.

Response

There is currently contact tracing ongoing together with active case searching in health facilities and the community level.

WHO risk assessment and advice

Marburg virus disease (MVD) is a highly virulent, epidemic-prone disease, associated with a high case-fatility ratio of 24-90%. In the early phase of the disease, it is hard to distinguish the disease from other diseases. There are no medicines or vaccine against the Marburg virus. There is a high risk issued for the country. The global risk is low.

The advice is for health workers to maintain standard precautions. Close contact with Marburg patients should be avoided. It is advised to transfer suspected cases to a health facility for treatment and isolation. Regular hand hygiene should be performed after visiting someone who is sick. Leaders and health workers in communities affected by Marburg, should make efforts to ensure that the population is well informed. This refers to informing the community of both the nature of the disease, to avoid further transmission, community stigmatization and encourage early presentation to treatment centers and other necessary outbreak containment measures, including safe burial of the dead. People who have died from Marburg should be promptly and safely buried. Handle wildlife in conjunction with regular hand hygiene, gloves and other appropriate protective clothing. Cook animal products (blood and meat) thoroughly before consumption and avoid consumption of raw meat. During work or research activities or tourist visits in mines or caves inhabited by fruit bat colonies, people should wear masks and gloves.

The WHO advises against any restriction of travel and trade to and from Guinea.