2021 Marburg virus disease outbreak in Guinea

2021 Marburg virus disease outbreak in Guinea
Colorized Marburg virus particles
DiseaseMarburg virus
SourceEgyptian Rousette bats
LocationGuinea
Date25 July 2021 - 16 September 2021
Confirmed cases1
Deaths
1
Fatality rate24-90%
VaccinationsN/A

The outbreak of Marburg virus disease in Gueckedou district, Guinea started in July 2021, and ended in September. A single individual got sick and died of the virus, with no other known cases.[1]

Background

Marburg virus disease (MVD) is a highly virulent, epidemic-prone disease, associated with a high case-fatality ratio of 24-90%. In the early phase of the disease, it is hard to distinguish the disease from other diseases. There are no specific treatments or vaccine against the Marburg virus, though supportive care increases the likelihood of survival.[2] 14 outbreaks of the disease have been reported since 1967, when it was first detected, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa.[3][3]

The disease's usual reservoir species is Egyptian Rousette bats.[4] Among humans, it is transmitted via direct contact with the bodily fuilds of an infected individual.[5]

Guéckédou, the site of the outbreak, had recently suffered from an Ebola outbreak, as well as the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

Outbreak

The index case, a 40-year-old farmer, got his first symptoms on July 25.[6] The patient died on August 2. On August 3, a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test was conducted, returning a positive result for the Marburg virus on August 5. The WHO was informed of the first case the next day. On August 9, the Institut Pasteur Dakar in Senegal provided reconfirmation that the result was positive for the Marburg virus.

Guinea health authorities conducted contact tracing and monitored 170 known high-risk contacts of the index case. No new cases were detected for twice the length of the incubation period of the virus, in this case 42 day, so the outbreak was declared over around six weeks after it started.[2][1]

WHO's Africa director Matshidiso Moeti, among others, praised Guinea's rapid and effective response to the outbreak.[7]

References

  1. 1 2 "Guinea declares end of Marburg virus outbreak". CNN. CNN. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
  2. 1 2 "Malburg virus disease - Guinea". World Health Organisation. 10 August 2021. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
  3. 1 2 Paweska, Janusz; Groome, Michelle J. (12 September 2021). "Marburg in Guinea: the value of lessons from managing other haemorrhagic outbreaks". The Conversation. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
  4. ↑ Markotter, Wanda (August 20, 2021). "The first human case of Marburg virus in West Africa is no surprise: here's why". The Conversation. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
  5. ↑ Aborode, Abdullahi Tunde; Wireko, Andrew Awuah; Bel-Nono, Katerina Namaal; Quarshie, Louisa Sowah; Allison, Mariam; Bello, Munira Aminu (2021). "Marburg virus amidst COVID-19 pandemic in Guinea: Fighting within the looming cases". The International Journal of Health Planning and Management. 37: 553–555. doi:10.1002/hpm.3332. PMC 8653112. PMID 34525245.
  6. ↑ Jerving, Sara (16 September 2021). "Guinea declares an end to the Marburg outbreak after only one case". Devex. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
  7. ↑ Nunis, Vivienne (10 August 2021). "Marburg virus: Man who died in Guinea found to have disease". BBC News. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
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