The World Health Organization (WHO) has sent a team of specialists to assist Ghanaian medical personnel and be ready for a potential Marburg virus epidemic, a highly contagious illness that belongs to the same viral family as the one that causes Ebola.
The WHO specialists are expected to assist Ghana's health authorities by enhancing disease surveillance, testing, tracing contacts, preparing to treat patients, and working with communities to inform and educate them about the risks and dangers of the disease as well as collaborating with the emergency response teams.
There are two suspected instances of the virus in Ghana. It was implemented after initial testing revealed the virus in the nation's two patients, both of whom have now passed away.
According to Dr. Francis Kasolohe, a representative of the World Health Organization in Ghana, the samples have been forwarded to the Institut Pasteur in Senegal for additional testing.
"The two deceased, unrelated individuals from the southern Ashanti area displayed symptoms including diarrhoea, fever, nausea, and vomiting. A district hospital in the Ashanti area has received them "said he.
"The health authorities are analysing the situation on the ground and getting ready for a potential epidemic reaction. In order to increase detection, trace contacts, and be prepared to stop the spread of the virus, we are actively collaborating with the nation.
These would be the first cases reported in the nation and the second in West Africa if verified. One instance was verified by Guinea last year.
Marburg is communicated between individuals by body fluids and is acquired by fruit bats.
Patients who have been diagnosed with Marburg are often encouraged to drink plenty of water as doctors address their individual symptoms because there is no vaccination or therapy for the disease.
Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, South Africa, and Uganda are among the countries in Africa where Marburg outbreaks and isolated cases have been documented in the past.