The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has stated that it is on high alert for the Marburg virus which has been discovered in neighbouring Ghana whose proximity is very close to Nigeria.
Although the NCDC stated that Nigeria was at moderate risk of the disease, but then Nigerians should endeavour to conduct tests for the virus at the National Reference Laboratory in Abuja and the University of Lagos Teaching Hospital Laboratory Centre for Human and Zoonotic Virology.
Mr Ifedayo Adetifa, the NCDC Director General stated yesterday that it it was on high alert following the World Health Organisation’s alert on the disease when they confirmed the presence of the disease in Ghana on July 17, 2022.
It is noted that Ghana has reported two cases, involving unrelated males – 26 and 51 years old, who both died from the disease.
The Marburg virus causes a rare, highly infectious disease and severe haemorrhagic fever (MVD) in humans and non-human primates just like the Ebola virus.
It is another example of a zoonosis such as Lassa fever, etc.
Fruit bats are known to be the natural animal reservoir whose transmission from animals to humans can spread through the direct contact of body fluids of people who are infected, and also through surfaces that may be already contaminated.
The virus gains easy access into the body through broken skins, eyes, nose and mouth.
Although the NCDC boss has assured that Ghana’s health officials are containing the virus through the help and assistance of the WHO.
