Faced with the Marburg epidemic in Tanzania and Equatorial Guinea, the Mauritian authority was quick to react. A decision taken by the Council of Ministers aims to increase security at entry points. The Marburg virus which was detected in Germany in 1967 does not yet have any vaccine and antiviral treatment. From the same family as Ebola, this virus presents severe symptoms and is very often fatal. In 2005, this virus was one of the deadliest in Angola.
According to Dr. Shameem Jaumdally, the Marburg virus can cause headaches and body aches, high fever, and problems with the digestive system among others.
The virologist adds that transmission is through bodily fluids and that the virus has a fatality rate of 50 to 100 percent which varies depending on the age and health status of the person.
