Ghana has confirmed the outbreak of a virus which has killed two people.
Having contracted Marburg virus, the two patients died in hospital on Sunday (17 July).
Tests carried out in Ghana on 10 July were later confirmed as positive in Senegal after being verified.
The Marburg virus, similar to the Ebola virus, was first discovered in Germany back in 1967, killing 7 people.
Since then, the virus has been detected in several countries, with Southern and Eastern Africa accounting for the most confirmed cases.
The virus is said to be transmitted from fruit bats, and can be transmitted amongst humans via bodily fluids, surfaces and materials according to the World Health Organisation.
Symptoms include; Diarrhoea; fever; nausea and vomiting.
This is the second recorded outbreak of the Marburg virus in Western Africa, after Guinea recorded its first ever case last year.
“(Ghanaian) health authorities have responded swiftly, getting a head start preparing for a possible outbreak. This is good because without immediate and decisive action, Marburg can easily get out of hand,” said Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa.
