The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has said Nigeria is at moderate risk of importing Marburg Virus Disease following the outbreak of same in Equatorial Guinea.
According to the NCDC, the extent of the outbreak in Equatorial Guinea has not yet been ascertained, and the likelihood of spread in Nigeria following importation is high due to the gatherings and travel associated with upcoming national elections.
It also said the likelihood of importation to Nigeria is high due to the direct flight between Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea, and the proximity of Equatorial Guinea to Nigeria.
Marburg Virus Outbreak in Nigeria
Nigeria is currently experiencing a Marburg virus outbreak, with cases having been reported in two states, including Kogi and Ondo. Marburg virus is a rare, but highly fatal hemorrhagic fever virus, and has been classified as a World Health Organization (WHO) risk group four pathogen, meaning it poses a severe threat to human health.
The Marburg virus is similar to Ebola, and is transmitted through contact with infected bodily fluids or contaminated objects. Symptoms include fever, headache, abdominal pain, and a red rash that develops in the later stages of the disease. In the most serious cases, the virus can cause organ failure, internal bleeding, and death.
The outbreak began in March 2021, and since then, there have been a total of 14 reported cases and six deaths. The affected states have implemented containment measures, such as quarantining contacts of those infected and isolating suspected cases. Several hospitals in the affected states have been identified as treatment centers and are now equipped with protective equipment and trained medical personnel.
The Nigerian government has set up an emergency response team, consisting of experts and representatives from the health ministry, the World Health Organization, and other NGOs. The team is working on containment measures, such as contact tracing, laboratory testing, and mass.
Marburg virus is an emerging infectious disease that is associated with severe, often fatal, hemorrhagic fever in humans and non-human primates. The virus was first identified in 1967 in Germany and was subsequently identified in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, and Uganda. In 2014, the Marburg virus re-emerged in Nigeria, causing several cases of severe and fatal illness in humans.
The Marburg virus is a member of the Filoviridae family, which is comprised of two distinct viruses, the Marburg virus and the Ebola virus. Both viruses produce similar clinical illnesses and have similar transmission patterns. While the Marburg virus is typically found in Central and Southern Africa, it has recently emerged in Nigeria, causing several cases of severe and fatal illness in humans.
The main means of transmission of the Marburg virus is through contact with infected body fluids, such as blood, vomit, or feces. The virus can also be spread through contact with objects that have been contaminated with infected body fluids. In addition, the virus can spread through contact with infected animals, such as fruit bats and monkeys.
A BAT: A carrier of the Marburg Virus
In Nigeria, diagnosis of Marburg virus is complicated due to limited resources. The most reliable diagnostic tests for Marburg virus are reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and antigen-capture ELISA assays, but these.
Equatorial Guinea on February 13, 2023, confirmed its first-ever outbreak of Marburg virus disease. The viral infection has also killed nine persons in the countryAccording to the World Health Organisation, preliminary tests carried out following the deaths of at least nine people in the country’s western Kie Ntem Province turned out positive for viral haemorrhagic fever.
Equatorial Guinean health authorities sent samples to the Institut Pasteur reference laboratory in Senegal with support from WHO to determine the cause of the disease after an alert by a district health official on February.
Marburg virus disease is a highly virulent disease that causes haemorrhagic fever, with a fatality ratio of up to 88 per cent. It is in the same family as the virus that causes Ebola virus disease. Illness caused by the Marburg virus begins abruptly, with high fever, severe headache, and severe malaise.
Many patients develop severe haemorrhagic symptoms within seven days. The virus is transmitted to people from fruit bats and spreads among humans through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people, surfaces, and materials.
The NCDC, in a press statement signed by its Director-General, Dr Ifedayo Adetifa, on Friday, noted that the likelihood of spread in Nigeria following importation is high due to the gatherings and travel associated with upcoming national elections.
He noted that the case fatality rate of MVD ranges between 24 to 88 per cent and it does not currently have an effective drug for treatment or a licensed vaccine for preventio
The statement partly read, “There are currently no cases of Marburg virus disease in Nigeria, however, the NCDC, relevant Ministries, Departments, Agencies, and partners have taken proactive measures to mitigate the risk of cross-border importation. The multi-sectoral National Emerging Viral Haemorrhagic Disease Technical Working Group, led by NCDC, is responsible for coordinating the national response to all VHFs across pillars including surveillance, laboratory, case management, and risk communication. The NEVHD TWG like it has always done in the past following news of MVD outbreaks conducted a dynamic risk assessment to inform Nigeria’s preparedness following this recent outbreak in Equatorial Guinea.
“Based on available data, the overall risk of importation of the Marburg virus and the impact on the health of Nigerians has been assessed as MODERATE.
“The risk assessment also shows that Nigeria has the capacity-technical, human (health workforce), and diagnostic – required to respond effectively in the event of an outbreak. Nigeria has also responded to viral haemorrhagic fever epidemics like the Ebola Outbreak in 2014 and built up her preparedness and response capabilities over the years. We have the diagnostic capacity to test for MVD presently at the National Reference Laboratory in Abuja and the University of Lagos Teaching Hospital laboratory Centre for Human and Zoonotic Virology.
“However, diagnostic capacity will be scaled up to other laboratories in cities with important points of entry and others as may be required. An effective response system is in place with the availability of control capacities (trained rapid response teams, and an effective infection prevention and control programme) to limit the risk of spread in the event of a single imported case
The NCDC advises Nigerians and residents to avoid all but essential travels to Equatorial Guinea at this time.
“Persons with recent travel history to or transit through Equatorial Guinea within the past 21 days who experience symptoms such as fever, muscle pain, sore throat, diarrhoea, weakness, vomiting, stomach pain, or unexplained bleeding or bruising should not go to any health facility but call 6232 or their State Ministry of Health hotline immediately for assessment and testing,” the agency added.
SYMPTOMS OF THE MARBURG VIRUS:
The Marburg virus, like the Ebola virus, can cause severe hemorrhagic fever. Symptoms of the Marburg virus include fever, headache, joint and muscle aches, chills, and fatigue. Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, chest pain, sore throat, abdominal pain, and diarrhoea. In some cases, jaundice, red eyes, and a skin rash may also occur. In severe cases, the virus can cause bleeding from the eyes, ears, and nose, as well as from the mouth, rectum, and other body openings. It can also lead to bleeding inside the body, which can be fatal.
CONTROL MEASURES:
Marburg virus control measures include avoiding contact with infected people or animals, wearing protective clothing when caring for sick people, practicing hand hygiene and other infection control measures, avoiding contact with bats and non-human primates, and avoiding areas with known outbreaks of the virus. Vaccines are not yet available.
IS THERE A CURE FOR THE VIRUS?:
No, there is currently no cure for the Marburg virus. Treatment typically consists of supportive care and symptom relief.
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