Ghana Health Service sounds alarm after Ethiopia Marburg outbreak

Ghana Health Service has issued a public alert following Ethiopia’s confirmation of a Marburg virus disease outbreak that has resulted in nine cases and three deaths.

In a statement signed by Acting Director-General Dr Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, the Service said it is monitoring developments after the Ethiopian Public Health Institute notified the World Health Organization of the outbreak on November 14.

The Service explained that preventive steps had been initiated because of “frequent travel between Ghana and Ethiopia”.

The statement said the Ministry of Health and its agencies have begun a series of measures “to ensure that the public is safe”, outlining heightened surveillance at all points of entry, the issuance of fresh alerts to all regions and health facilities, the activation of emergency public health response structures and engagement with one-health partners including the Veterinary Services Directorate and the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission.

According to the Ghana Health Service, Marburg virus disease is caused by the Marburg virus and “can be transmitted from animals to humans and from humans to humans”.

The statement noted that the incubation period ranges from “two (2) to twenty-one (21) days”. It added that treatment is symptomatic and that “there is currently no vaccine available”.

The Service listed the key symptoms the public should watch for, including fever, chills, bloody diarrhoea, bleeding from various parts of the body and vomiting blood.

It urged the public to report any suspected symptoms immediately to a health facility and to disclose any recent travel history.

The statement advised the public to “adhere to regular hand hygiene” and to “avoid direct contact with animals who show symptoms of bleeding”.

The Ghana Health Service encouraged the public to avoid the handling or consumption of animals found dead or those that appear sick, especially when bleeding is evident.

It added that the Ministry of Health “assures the public that all necessary measures are being taken to ensure their safety”.

The Service said it will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary.