Nigeria on high alert for Marburg virus detected in Ghana

Health agency urged Nigerians to avoid direct contact with those suspected, confirmed of having virus

By Ibrahim Garba Shuaibu

KANO, Nigeria (AA) - Nigeria’s Centre for Disease Control said Wednesday it is on a high alert following confirmation of two cases of the deadly Marburg virus in Ghana.

Marburg is a highly infectious disease in the same family as the virus that causes Ebola.

Most of Ghana’s national trade is conducted with the Nigerian city of Lagos.

The agency said Nigeria has the resources for “prompt identification and management in the event of a single imported case” and medics have been placed on standby and surveillance heightened.

The agency urged Nigerians to strictly adhere to preventive measures to avoid non-essential travel to locations where the outbreak is reported. It also advised against direct contact with blood, saliva, vomit, urine, and other bodily fluids of those with suspected or confirmed Marburg virus disease.

The virus has been reported in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, but the overall risk of importation was “moderate,” according to the agency.

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