WHO Update on Marburg Outbreak in Equatorial Guinea
The World Health Organization has issued an update on the Marburg outbreak in Equatorial Guinea. The case count is up to 38 confirmed and probable cases, with at least 89% dead. Get the latest on the outbreak and the steps being taken to contain it.
Helen Branswell 🇺🇦
I cover infectious diseases @statnews. 2020 Polk winner. Nieman '11. She/her. Checkmarked pre-Elon. #Covid #polio #flu https://t.co/httca8ZASg
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1. @WHO has issued an update on the #Marburg outbreak in Equatorial Guinea. It is not reassuring. A 🧵
— Helen Branswell 🇺🇦 (@HelenBranswell) April 15, 2023
Before getting into it, a note on the Marburg outbreak in Tanzania. WHO says the case count remains at 8, with 5 deaths. If accurate, this outbreak doesn't seem to be growing. -
2. Equatorial Guinea: The case count is up to 38 confirmed & probable #Marburg cases; at least 89% are dead. Authorities don't know the identify/whereabouts/disease outcome of 1 case. (shudder)
— Helen Branswell 🇺🇦 (@HelenBranswell) April 15, 2023
The most recent case tested positive on April 7. Not yet clear how s/he got infected. pic.twitter.com/ZMqzUH8kNw -
3. There is no reason to think this outbreak is coming under control. Equatorial Guinea is lucky in that #Marburg doesn't seem to transmit as well as Ebola; Marburg outbreaks have historically been smaller. But one can't assume a Marburg outbreak will be small. See Angola 2004-05
— Helen Branswell 🇺🇦 (@HelenBranswell) April 15, 2023 -
4. @WHO's update says some concerning things. And some of the things it doesn't say are also concerning.
— Helen Branswell 🇺🇦 (@HelenBranswell) April 15, 2023
To wit: It appears that #Marburg treatment centers haven't been set up. That's dangerous; 4 health workers have already been infected. pic.twitter.com/cEDUs0dSP9 -
5. I'm hearing the government has been slow to let in outside help. There is no mention of MSF or Alima in the @WHO update. Equatorial Guinea has never dealt with a filovirus outbreak before. Having help in safe patient care is critical.
— Helen Branswell 🇺🇦 (@HelenBranswell) April 15, 2023 -
6. #Marburg cases have been detected in at least five parts of the country, & in areas bordering Cameroon & Gabon. @WHO has characterized the risk as "very high at the national level, high at sub-regional level, moderate at the regional level and low at the global level." pic.twitter.com/CcmqqcKS5r
— Helen Branswell 🇺🇦 (@HelenBranswell) April 15, 2023 -
7. Most of the #Marburg cases have been in Bata, a large port (pop. ~455,000) with an international airport. Filovirus outbreaks + cities = dangerous.
— Helen Branswell 🇺🇦 (@HelenBranswell) April 15, 2023
Some of the cases have not had clear links to previous cases, which could be a sign of undetected transmission chains.
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