The Ghana Health Service (GHS)  in a press statement has confirmed two cases of Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) in the Ashanti Region.

According to Ghana Health Service, the disease was suspected following the identification of two persons who met the case definition for an Acute Haemorrhagic Fever in two different locations in the Ashanti Region.  Blood samples sent to Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research suggest Marburg virus. The samples have subsequently been sent for confirmation at the Institute Pasteur in Dakar, Senegal with the support of the World Health Organization (WHO).

No new cases have been reported since the two samples were taken two weeks ago.

In addition, 34 contacts of the two cases have been identified and are currently under quarantine and being monitored by the Ashanti Regional Health Directorate of the Ghana Health Service. The Ashanti Regional Health Directorate with support from the Ghana Health Service Headquarters is currently conducting further investigations on the cases and contacts.

Information about the Disease

Marburg Virus Disease is a rare but severe haemorrhagic fever that affects both humans and non-human primates. It is caused by the Marburg virus. It is transmitted by infected persons or animals from direct contact with body fluids, blood and other discharges from the affected person/animal. The incubation period for the disease is two (2) to twenty-one (21) days. Treatment is symptomatic. There is currently no vaccine available.

The disease may present with:

• Fever
• Bloody diarrhoea
• Bleeding from gums
• Bleeding into the skin
• Bleeding into the eyes and
• Bloody urine

The public is hereby advised to be on the lookout for any of the above symptoms and report to the nearest health facility.