Cameroon is on red alert as its neighbour in the South battles with the marburg virus. The marburg virus disease is an acute form of haemorrhagic fever known to be fatal. It is caused by a filovirus also called the marburg virus which is said to live in African monkeys. It belongs to the same group as the ebola virus which has no cure.
Equatorial Guinea which shares boundaries with Cameron in the South has confirmed nine people dead with sixteen other suspected cases. The cases are reported to have presented symptoms including fever, fatigue, blood-stained vomit and diarrhea.
In a communique published on 14th February 2023, Manaouda Malachie, Cameroon’s Public Health Minister has notified the country on the outbreak of the marburg virus in neighbouring Equatorial Guinea. “Following the occurrence of several deaths in Equatorial Guinea, on the border with the South Region, particularly the Ambam, Olamze and Kye-Ossi Health Districts, an outbreak of Marburg Virus Disease has been confirmed by the Equatoguinean authorities. Marburg Virus disease is highly contagious and virulent. It causes hemorrhagic fever, with a fatality rate of up to 90%. It is marked by fever, headache, behavioural disorder, general malaise accompanied by massive hemorrhage” the communique informing the public about the disease read.
Cameroonians, especially those on the borders on Equatorial Guinea are called to practice preventive measures.
The public health minister calls on the population to respect hygiene rules in order to prevent the virus. These include; wash hands regularly with clean running water and soap especially after handling an animal or animal product or after taking care of a person with symptoms of haemorrhagic fever, avoid contacts with the body fluid of a sick person including sexual intercourse, avoid contact with wild animals that are sick or found dead, wash food before eating, cook food well and eat food when it is hot.
The rules are to be respected “given that transmission occurs through contact with an infected animal, direct contact with body fluids of an infected person and with contaminated surfaces and materials” the minister states in the communiqué.
In the communique, Mr Manaouda Malachie expects Cameroonians to be vigilant and disciplined “to avoid any possible importation of the disease” into Cameroon.
The minister notes that the Ministry of Public Health is collaborating with the administration, technical and financial partners to prevent an outbreak in Cameroon. He says the government is working on strengthening epidemiological surveillance, multi-sector investigations and active search for cases and contact persons in the risk areas, community awareness and mobilisation activities.
In the event of a diagnosed case, health personnel have the task to immediately notify and isolate any suspected case. They have to respect compliance with infection prevention and control rules. 1510 has been set as the toll free number for any infected case in Cameroon.
PHOTO: Communique on Marburg Virus released by Ministry of Public Health, signed by Minister Manaouda Malachie
Story by Mildred Ndum Wung Kum
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