In parallel with the response to the Covid-19 epidemic and the risk of a new Ebola epidemic, Guinea is also battling a possible Marburg fever epidemic. Guinea’s health minister wanted to make sure of the prompt response from his staff as soon as a first case was discovered.
A case of this highly contagious disease, with a mortality rate between 24 and 88%, has actually been confirmed there.10th August, it was the first time in West Africa. Like Ebola, the Marburg virus is a hemorrhagic fever. It causes severe bleeding, fever, vomiting and diarrhea. It is a zoonosis, which is transmitted to humans through certain bats, fruit bats. During a press conference organized by the World Health Organization yesterday, Guinea’s Minister of Health, Dr Rémy Lamah, reviewed the status of contact tracking.
We immediately tried to rewrite the various contacts
Dr Rémy Lamah, Guinea’s Minister of Health
“Our healthcare professionals noticed suspicious symptoms and quickly performed a test for Marburg, it is thanks to them and the training they received that the epidemic was identified so quickly and that we were able to start the response immediately.”
According to him, the speed of detection made it possible to act quickly on the handling of contact matters. “We immediately tried to rewrite the various contacts, and where the surprise came is that the funeral dressing was done by a certain member of the family, but so far none of their members have developed any signs in favor of Marburg. 175 people have been identified, they are regularly monitored by “We are not neglecting anything in connection with the follow-up of these contacts. So far no more cases of Marburg have been reported.”
► To also read:Ebola in Guinea and Côte d’Ivoire: what we know about the virus’ path
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