Marburg virus, a highly infectious disease, detected in West Africa for first time

The WHO informed that Marburg, which is in the same family as the virus that causes Ebola, was reported in Guinea's Gueckedou.

New Delhi: The World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday (August 9, 2021) confirmed the first-ever case of the highly infectious disease 'Marburg' virus in West Africa. The WHO informed that Marburg, which is in the same family as the virus that causes Ebola, was reported in Guinea's Gueckedou.  The patient had sought treatment at a local clinic in Koundou area of Gueckedou, where a medical investigation team had been dispatched to probe his worsening symptoms. Dr Matshidiso Moeti, World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa applauded the alertness and the quick investigative action by Guinea's health workers.