West Africa reports death from Ebola-like Marburg virus; all you need to know

Guinea in western Africa has confirmed a case of Marburg disease. The Marburg virus causes haemorrhagic fever and belongs to the same family as the Ebola virus. The World Health Organization (WHO) said on August 9 that the virus, which is carried by bats and has a fatality rate of up to 88 percent, was found in samples taken from a patient who died on August 2 in southern Gueckedou prefecture.

The case was discovered just two months after the WHO announced the end of the country’s second Ebola outbreak.

Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, told the media, “The potential for the Marburg virus to spread far and wide means we need to stop it in its tracks. We are working with the health authorities to implement a swift response that builds on Guinea’s past experience with Ebola, which is transmitted in a similar way.”