Deadly Marburg Virus Spreads in Equatorial Guinea
A deadly outbreak of the Marburg virus has claimed 20 lives since it was declared in February. This virus, a close cousin of Ebola, can kill up to 88% of those infected. New cases have emerged across three provinces in Equatorial Guinea, roughly 150 kilometers apart, raising fears the virus may be spreading further.
WHO Sounds Alarm as Virus Threat Grows
WHO Africa Director Matshidiso Moeti has urged immediate action to halt the deadly outbreak. “We must scale up response efforts to quickly stop transmission,” she warned. Marburg virus symptoms include fever, fatigue, and bloody vomiting and diarrhoea. Alarmingly, no vaccine or antiviral treatment is currently available.
Neighbouring Countries on High Alert
- Cameroon found two suspected Marburg cases last month despite border restrictions aimed at blocking the virus.
- Tanzania has confirmed eight cases, with five deaths.
The rapid spread into neighbouring nations shows how urgent it is to contain the outbreak before it spirals out of control.
