Marburg Virus: Ghana Confirms Two Cases Of Deadly Virus; 98 Persons Placed Under Quarantine

• Ghana has confirmed two cases of the Marburg virus disease in the Ashanti Region
• According to the GHS, 98 people who came into contact with the infected persons have been placed under quarantine
• This is the first time the disease that causes severe bleeding and fever has been detected in Ghana

Ghana has confirmed two Marburg virus cases, and people who came into contact with infected persons have been placed under quarantine, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) disclosed Sunday.

According to a release signed by the Director-General of the GHS, Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, after suspected cases on July 7, 2022, in the Ashanti Region, further testing at the Institute Pasteur in Dakar, Senegal, confirmed the deadly virus.

“The disease was suspected following the identification of two persons who met the case definition for an Acute Hacmorrhagic Fever and reported in Adansi North District of Ashanti Region,” the release explained.

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GHS disclosed that some 98 contacts identified, including those from the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba district from Savannah Region, are currently under quarantine and being monitored by the Ashanti and Savannah Regional Health Directories of the Service.

“No new cases of MVD have been identified,” the statement assured.

This is the first time Ghana has confirmed Marburg virus disease.

About the virus

The Marburg virus causes a rare disease. It is a deadly disease that can cause bleeding and fever and affects humans and non-human primates. According to GHS, fruit bats are natural hosts of the Marburg virus.

There are no vaccines for the disease.

Ghanaian researcher Makes Breakthrough For Anti-HIV Medicine Development

Meanwhile, YEN.com.gh has reported in a separate story that a scientist at the University of Ghana, Legon, has made a breakthrough discovery about the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that is expected to help develop better medicines to fight the virus.

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UG researcher makes giant discovery for anti-HIV medicine development

Dr Jerry Joe Harrison, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Chemistry, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences (SPMS), has developed a formula that enables stable HIV Polyprotein expression.

Scientists explain that the HIV Polyprotein, a key protein that helps HIV to multiply and propagate, must be stable before scientists can determine its structure. Scientists need to determine the structure of a virus to formulate medical preparations that can effectively fight it.

Source: YEN.com.gh