Ghana confirms first two cases of deadly Marburg virus
By Ibrahim Adeleke
Ghana has confirmed its first two cases of the deadly Marburg virus, a highly contagious disease in the same family as the virus that causes Ebola.
Both patients died recently in hospital in the southern Ashanti region.
Their samples came back positive earlier this month and have now been verified by a laboratory in Senegal.
Health officials in the West African nation say 98 people are now under quarantine as suspected contact cases.
No treatment yet exists for Marburg – but doctors say drinking plenty of water and treating specific symptoms improves as patients chances of survival.
The virus is transmitted to people from fruit bats and spreads between humans through the transmission of bodily fluids.
It is a severe, often fatal illness with symptoms including headache, fever, muscle pains, vomiting blood and bleeding.
