GHS Boss, Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye

The Ghana Health Service has directed all regions, districts, and health facilities to initiate preparedness and response plans following the confirmation of the rare, but highly infectious Marburg virus disease in Guinea.

“All Regional and District Public Health Emergency Management Committees should include Marburg on their agenda. Additionally, regions, districts, health facilities, post health units at all border posts particularly along the Western border and landing beaches are to heighten surveillance for Marburg using the standard case definition attached,” a letter issued by the GHS dated August 11  to all Regional Directors of Health Service said.

It added that the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research has the capacity for confirmation of the Marburg virus and hence samples of suspected cases must be transported there.

The Marburg virus belongs to the same family as Ebola, and previously outbreaks have erupted elsewhere across Africa in Angola, Congo, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, and now Guinea.

Marburg symptoms include high fever and muscle pains, and some patients later bleed through body openings like eyes and ears.

There is no approved drug or vaccine for Marburg, but rehydration and other supportive care can improve a patient’s chances of survival.

Case fatality rates have been as high as 88% in previous outbreaks, but WHO said the figure has varied, based upon the strain and how cases were managed