Marburg virus outbreak in Ghana: An impending crisis

Jack Wellington; Ayça Nur; Aderinto Nicholas; Olivier Uwishema; Hassan Chaito; Olutola Awosiku; Yusuf Jaafer Al Tarawneh; Jana Abdul Nasser Sharafeddine; Chinyere Vivian Patrick Onyeaka; Helen Onyeaka

doi:10.1016/j.amsu.2022.104377

Marburg virus outbreak in Ghana: An impending crisis

Jack Wellington, Ayça Nur, Aderinto Nicholas, Olivier Uwishema^*, Hassan Chaito, Olutola Awosiku, Yusuf Jaafer Al Tarawneh, Jana Abdul Nasser Sharafeddine, Chinyere Vivian Patrick Onyeaka, Helen Onyeaka

^*Corresponding author for this work

Chemical Engineering

Research output: Contribution to journal › Letter › peer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

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Abstract

Since the initial identification of the Marburg virus in 1967, it has sporadically emerged in several countries throughout Africa, including Zimbabwe, Kenya, South Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda, and Zimbabwe. Due to the concurrent occurrence of other epidemics like the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), this outbreak could endanger the healthcare systems in these many African nations. Recently, two cases of the Marburg virus were detected in Ghana for the first time. However, there has been a noticeable lack of information concerning this recent outbreak of July 2022 in Ghana. Therefore, this article seeks to provide an overview of this outbreak in Ghana to better understand the most recent status and current efforts being made to mitigate the dissemination of the Marburg virus. We also suggest recommendations that may contribute to limiting the burden of this virus.

Original language	English
Article number	104377
Number of pages	4
Journal	Annals of Medicine and Surgery
Volume	81
Early online date	18 Aug 2022
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amsu.2022.104377
Publication status	Published - Sept 2022

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The WHO is sending experts to Ghana in advance of a potential epidemic to help with disease surveillance, locating contacts, and patient treatment preparations. Additionally, the goal of the said experts is to collaborate with emergency response teams and affected communities to inform and educate individuals about the disease's risks and hazards [24]. Epidemiological investigations, such as enhanced surveillance using the Integrated disease surveillance and Response (IDSR) system, continue to be conducted and follow-up of contacts [11]. Health care professionals are currently undergoing sensitization on case definition and infection prevention and control measures. Volunteers for community-based surveillance have also attended an orientation to improve surveillance at the community level. WHO is providing reagents to NMIMR, which conducted the first testing of the samples, as part of its testing support program [11].The budget for healthcare should be increased, as should the number of beds and medical staff. In particular in said afflicted regions of the country, epidemiological development, community involvement, and coordinated monitoring programmes are vital. The coexistence of MARV alongside the introduction of infectious variations, such as the delta version of SARS-CoV-2, should be known to medical experts and researchers. It is crucial to make sure that healthcare staff have adequate PPE. The diagnosis of MARV patients depends on the results of proper laboratory testing. In the affected areas, social leaders and healthcare workers must be informed of the risk factors, security precautions for complete animal product production, and procedures for safe burial for people who have died from MARV. Instructions are based on countries that prevent MARV in local regions. Government and stakeholders must work together to ensure rapid containment of MARV during the COVID-19 pandemic so that healthcare systems are not overwhelmed. The WHO should strengthen coordination in MARV-endemic countries and provide continued financial support to reduce the re-emergence of this deadly disease [25, 27–32].

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 The Author(s)

Keywords

Africa
Epidemiology
Ghana
Marburg virus
Outbreak

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Surgery

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Cite this

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title = "Marburg virus outbreak in Ghana: An impending crisis",

abstract = "Since the initial identification of the Marburg virus in 1967, it has sporadically emerged in several countries throughout Africa, including Zimbabwe, Kenya, South Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda, and Zimbabwe. Due to the concurrent occurrence of other epidemics like the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), this outbreak could endanger the healthcare systems in these many African nations. Recently, two cases of the Marburg virus were detected in Ghana for the first time. However, there has been a noticeable lack of information concerning this recent outbreak of July 2022 in Ghana. Therefore, this article seeks to provide an overview of this outbreak in Ghana to better understand the most recent status and current efforts being made to mitigate the dissemination of the Marburg virus. We also suggest recommendations that may contribute to limiting the burden of this virus.",

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note = "Funding Information: The WHO is sending experts to Ghana in advance of a potential epidemic to help with disease surveillance, locating contacts, and patient treatment preparations. Additionally, the goal of the said experts is to collaborate with emergency response teams and affected communities to inform and educate individuals about the disease's risks and hazards [24]. Epidemiological investigations, such as enhanced surveillance using the Integrated disease surveillance and Response (IDSR) system, continue to be conducted and follow-up of contacts [11]. Health care professionals are currently undergoing sensitization on case definition and infection prevention and control measures. Volunteers for community-based surveillance have also attended an orientation to improve surveillance at the community level. WHO is providing reagents to NMIMR, which conducted the first testing of the samples, as part of its testing support program [11].The budget for healthcare should be increased, as should the number of beds and medical staff. In particular in said afflicted regions of the country, epidemiological development, community involvement, and coordinated monitoring programmes are vital. The coexistence of MARV alongside the introduction of infectious variations, such as the delta version of SARS-CoV-2, should be known to medical experts and researchers. It is crucial to make sure that healthcare staff have adequate PPE. The diagnosis of MARV patients depends on the results of proper laboratory testing. In the affected areas, social leaders and healthcare workers must be informed of the risk factors, security precautions for complete animal product production, and procedures for safe burial for people who have died from MARV. Instructions are based on countries that prevent MARV in local regions. Government and stakeholders must work together to ensure rapid containment of MARV during the COVID-19 pandemic so that healthcare systems are not overwhelmed. The WHO should strengthen coordination in MARV-endemic countries and provide continued financial support to reduce the re-emergence of this deadly disease [25, 27–32]. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2022 The Author(s)",

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AU - Onyeaka, Chinyere Vivian Patrick

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AB - Since the initial identification of the Marburg virus in 1967, it has sporadically emerged in several countries throughout Africa, including Zimbabwe, Kenya, South Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda, and Zimbabwe. Due to the concurrent occurrence of other epidemics like the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), this outbreak could endanger the healthcare systems in these many African nations. Recently, two cases of the Marburg virus were detected in Ghana for the first time. However, there has been a noticeable lack of information concerning this recent outbreak of July 2022 in Ghana. Therefore, this article seeks to provide an overview of this outbreak in Ghana to better understand the most recent status and current efforts being made to mitigate the dissemination of the Marburg virus. We also suggest recommendations that may contribute to limiting the burden of this virus.

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SN - 2049-0801

VL - 81

JO - Annals of Medicine and Surgery

JF - Annals of Medicine and Surgery

M1 - 104377

ER -

Marburg virus outbreak in Ghana: An impending crisis

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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