Prognosis
Deadly Marburg Virus Spreads to Equatorial Guinea for First Time
- Case is confirmed after nine deaths involving unknown fever
- Neighboring Cameroon imposes restrictions to prevent spread
This electron micrograph depicts a number of Marburg virions.
Photographer: BSIP/Universal Images Group Editorial/Getty Images
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Equatorial Guinea reported its first outbreak of the deadly Marburg virus after an unknown illness causing hemorrhagic fever killed at least nine people in the west of the central African country.
Out of eight samples tested from that episode, one was positive for the virus, the World Health Organization said in a statement on Monday. Besides the fatalities, there were 16 other patients with symptoms including fever, fatigue and blood-stained vomit and diarrhea, according to the statement. The tests were conducted at the Institut Pasteur laboratory in Dakar, Senegal.