Two cases of a rare but deadly Ebola-like virus called the Marburg virus have been identified in Ghana.
What exactly is the Marburg virus and how much of a concern is broader spread of this illness? Here's what you need to know.
The World Health Organization declared a Marburg virus outbreak in Ghana after two people, who were not related, died in June.
Marburg virus disease is an often fatal illness that causes severe viral hemorrhagic fever. Case fatality rates have varied from 24% to 88% in past outbreaks, according to WHO.
Human infection with Marburg virus disease initially results from prolonged exposure to mines or caves inhabited by fruit bats. It can spread from person-to-person through direct contact with the blood or other bodily fluids of infected people, and with surfaces and materials (such as bedding and clothing) contaminated with these fluids.
The incubation period varies from two to 21 days.
Initial symptoms include high fever and severe headaches, while muscle aches and pains are also common. On the third day of infection, severe diarrhea, stomach pain, nausea and vomiting may start. Patients in this stage of the disease often have a "ghost-like" appearance with deep-set eyes, expressionless faces and extreme lethargy, according to WHO.
Within seven days, many patients experience severe bleeding from several areas including the nose, mouth, eyes, ears and other locations.
In fatal cases, death occurs most often between eight and nine days after symptoms appear.
Currently there are no vaccines or antiviral treatments for Marburg virus disease. Supportive care, such as rehydration with intravenous fluids and treatment of specific symptoms, improves survival.
The victims in Ghana were age 26 and 51; both men and both farm workers, though in different districts.
"The source of infection is unknown," WHO said in an announcement. "Preliminary investigations have shown that neither of these cases had a history of contact with dead animals, sick persons, or animals and had not attended any social gathering within three weeks of symptoms onset. Although both cases were farmers, they worked in different locations, and they have not been found to be epidemiologically linked. However, both cases came from communities living in a forest environment."
More than 100 people who came into contact with the men were identified, tested and placed under self-quarantine with daily monitoring for 21 days. One contact reported some symptoms, but a blood sample tested negative. All the other contacts reported to be in good health during the follow up period.
WHO said there is a risk for this outbreak to spread to neighboring countries because one of the patients travelled from Western region prior to experiencing symptoms. His body was also "not buried safely," because officials did not know he was positive for Marburg at the time. Therefore, WHO has assessed the risk of this outbreak as high at the national level, moderate at the regional level, and low at the global level.
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