2022 Marburg virus disease outbreak in Ghana

In July 2022, an outbreak of Marburg virus disease occurred in Ghana.^[1] Two positive cases were reported by Ghana on 8 July. After confirmation by the World Health Organization, it is the first such outbreak in Ghana. Two men aged 26 and 51 years old were infected with the disease and both cases resulted in fatalities. An additional case was identified, bringing the total to three.^[2]

2022 Marburg virus disease outbreak in Ghana
Micrograph of Marburg viruses
Disease	Marburg virus
Location	Ashanti Region, Ghana
Date	July 2022
Confirmed cases	4
Deaths	3
Fatality rate	75.00%

Background

Main article: Marburg virus disease

Marburg virus disease (MVD) is a highly virulent, epidemic-prone disease, associated with a high case-fatality ratio of 24–90%. In the early phase of the disease, it is hard to distinguish the disease from other diseases. There are no specific treatments or vaccine against the Marburg virus, though supportive care increases the likelihood of survival.^[3][4] Fourteen outbreaks of the disease have been reported since 1967, when it was first detected, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa.^[5]

The disease's usual reservoir species is the Egyptian fruit bat.^[6] Among humans, it is transmitted via direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected individual.^[7]

Outbreak

Two individuals in the southern Ashanti Region of Ghana developed Marburg disease-like symptoms—including diarrhea, fever, nausea, and emesis—before dying in a hospital.^[1][8] The two victims were unrelated.^[8] Tests for Marburg virus conducted in Ghana were positive for both. This was revealed on 8 July 2022.^[1] According to the United Nations, the cases, if confirmed by the World Health Organization (WHO), will be the first such cases of Marburg in Ghana.^[8] Samples have been sent to the Pasteur Institute of Dakar, Senegal for further testing.^[9] Two more cases of the virus were confirmed in Ghana by the WHO on 27 July 2022, with a third victim succumbing to the virus.^[10]

The outbreak was confirmed by the World Health Organization on 17 July 2022, making it the first such outbreak in Ghana.^[11] The outbreak follows another that occurred in Guinea the previous year.^[12]

Reaction

The WHO is preparing for a possible outbreak and is deploying experts to assist Ghana's public health efforts.^[8]

References

1. "Two test positive in Ghana for highly infectious Marburg virus". Reuters. 8 July 2022. from the original on 8 July 2022. Retrieved 10 July 2022.
2. @Ghana Health Service Official (28 July 2022). Health Service Official/status/1552716814974689280 "Update on Marburg Virus Disease Outbreak in Ghana" (Tweet) – via Twitter. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
3. "Marburg virus disease – Guinea". World Health Organization. 10 August 2021. from the original on 10 August 2021. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
4. "Guinea declares end of Marburg virus outbreak". CNN. 17 September 2021. from the original on 18 September 2021. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
5. Paweska, Janusz; Groome, Michelle J. (12 September 2021). "Marburg in Guinea: the value of lessons from managing other haemorrhagic outbreaks". The Conversation. from the original on 3 December 2021. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
6. Markotter, Wanda (20 August 2021). "The first human case of Marburg virus in West Africa is no surprise: here's why". The Conversation. from the original on 3 December 2021. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
7. Aborode, Abdullahi Tunde; Wireko, Andrew Awuah; Bel-Nono, Katerina Namaal; Quarshie, Louisa Sowah; Allison, Mariam; Bello, Munira Aminu (2021). "Marburg virus amidst COVID-19 pandemic in Guinea: Fighting within the looming cases". The International Journal of Health Planning and Management. 37 (1): 553–555. doi:10.1002/hpm.3332. PMC 8653112. PMID 34525245.
8. "Ghana prepares for possible first-ever Marburg virus outbreak". UN News. United Nations. 8 July 2022. from the original on 9 July 2022.
9. Associated Press (8 July 2022). "WHO: Ghana reports 2 suspected cases of Marburg virus". ABC News. from the original on 9 July 2022. Retrieved 10 July 2022.
10. "WHO confirms two more Marburg virus cases in Ghana, says official". National Post. 27 July 2022. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
11. Written at Dakar. "Ghana confirms its first outbreak of highly infectious Marburg virus". Reuters. Toronto: Thomson Reuters. 17 July 2022. from the original on 18 July 2022. Retrieved 18 July 2022.
12. "Two test positive in Ghana for highly infectious Marburg virus". Al Jazeera. 8 July 2022. from the original on 18 July 2022. Retrieved 18 July 2022.