Marburg virus kills 11 in Equatorial Guinea: WHO

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) - Sixteen cases of the Marburg virus have been detected in Equatorial Guinea and 11 of those diagnosed have died, World Health Organization (WHO) head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Tuesday.

Tedros pointed out during a news conference on global health issues that there have been 23 possible cases reported in Equatorial Guinea since the outbreak began.

"The most affected district is Bata in Litoral province, where nine cases have been reported," he said.

Tedros said a health care worker in Bata was infected Tuesday with the virus he urged all partners to be cautious as there may be unidentified transmission chains in the country.

"This is a critical moment in the outbreak response in Equatorial Guinea, and it will take an all of government and all of society effort to stop this outbreak," he said.

Marburg virus is a highly virulent disease that causes high fever with a fatality ratio of up to 88%.

It is in the same family as the virus that causes Ebola.

Marburg can be transmitted through direct contact with bodily fluids such as blood and secretions, as well as contaminated surfaces and materials that have been exposed to those fluids.