TRIBUNNEWS.COM – Ghana through its health authorities confirmed two cases of the Marburg virus, a highly contagious disease similar to Ebola.
Two people who tested positive for Margburg’s infection earlier this month have died.
The West African nation resumed testing on July 10, but results must be verified by a laboratory in Senegal for cases deemed confirmed, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
“Further testing at the Pasteur Institute in Dakar, Senegal has corroborated the results,” said the Health Service Ghana (GHS) in a statement Sunday.
GHS is working to reduce the risk of the virus spreading, including the isolation of all identified contacts, none of whom have shown any symptoms so far, he said.
Marburg’s first case was a 26-year-old man who was admitted to the hospital on June 26 and died on June 27.
Also read: Watch out for the spread of the Marburg virus, see how to prevent it, according to WHO
The second case is a 51-year-old man who was admitted to the hospital on 28 June and died on the same day.
The WHO said the two men were receiving treatment at the same hospital.
Two patients in the Ashanti area of Ghana The south had symptoms including diarrhea, fever, nausea and vomiting, before dying in hospital, said WHO.
“Health Authority [Ghana] has responded quickly, preparing for a possible outbreak. This is good because without immediate and decisive action, Marburg could easily spiral out of control,” said Matshidiso Moeti, WHO regional director for Africa. Al Jazeera.
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