In the following decades, sporadic epidemics have been identified in countries such as Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Kenya. The largest outbreak to date was in Angola in 2005, when 374 caught the virus and 329 died, a mortality rate of 88%.
Last year, in the first outbreak that affected West Africa, Guinea also reported a case. Although 170 contacts were monitored, the virus did not spread more widely.
The World Health Organization said the two patients in Ghana had symptoms such as diarrhea, fever, nausea and vomiting. Samples have been sent to the Institut Pasteur in Senegal, a WHO collaborating center, to confirm the diagnosis.
The UN agency added on Thursday afternoon that it will send an emergency team to Ghana to try to prevent a serious outbreak.
“We are working closely with the country to increase detection, monitor contacts and be prepared to monitor the spread of the virus,” said Dr Francis Kasolo, WHO representative in Ghana.
The Marburg virus is one of the main concerns of public health officials who are worried about the upcoming pandemic. It has the potential to cause serious public health emergencies, but there are currently no vaccines or antiviral treatments approved to treat the virus.
Although mortality rates are high, supportive care that includes rehydration with oral or intravenous fluids can improve the chances of survival.
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