The Ghana Health Service has confirmed the presence of two suspected cases of Marburg virus disease in the Ashanti Region.
A statement from the health authority said 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 were sent to the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research and preliminary results suggest the infection is due to the Marburg virus. The statement said.
The Ghana Health Service notes that 34 contacts linked to the initial two cases have been traced and are currently under quarantine. However, no new cases have been reported.
It said the Ashanti Regional Health Directorate with support from the Ghana Health Service Headquarters is currently conducting further investigations on the cases and contacts.
Marburg Virus Disease which is caused by the Marburg virus is a rare but severe haemorrhagic fever that affects both humans and non-human primates.
The virus is transmitted through direct contact with body fluids, blood and other discharges from an infected person or animal. Its incubation period is between two (2) to twenty-one (21) days. Its treatment is symptomatic and there is currently no vaccine available.
Prospective cases may present with fever, bloody diarrhoea, bleeding from gums, bleeding into the skin, bleeding into the eyes and, bloody urine.
Source: ATLFMNEWS
