The Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Ghana Health Service (GHS) have activated the public health emergency response structures as a precautionary measure following the confirmation of a Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) outbreak in Ethiopia.
The outbreak, which was reported to the World Health Organisation (WHO) on November 14, 2025, involves nine confirmed cases and three deaths in Ethiopia.
Recognising the potential risk posed by frequent travel between the two nations, the Ghana Health Service said it is immediately implementing a series of measures to ensure public safety.
Proactive Steps Taken by GHS
The Ministry of Health and its agencies are working with partners to contain any potential threat by initiating the following four key actions:
- Heightened Surveillance: Increased monitoring is being conducted at all of Ghana’s points of entry.
- National Alert: An official alert has been issued to all regional and district health facilities.
- Emergency Activation: Public health emergency response structures nationwide have been fully activated.
- One Health Collaboration: Engagement has begun with ‘One Health’ partners, including the Veterinary Services Directorate and the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission, to address the animal-to-human transmission risk.
The press release, signed by the Acting Director-General, Dr Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, assured the public that all necessary steps are being taken for their safety.
Symptoms and Public Advisory
The GHS urged the public to be vigilant and report to the nearest health facility if they notice any of the following symptoms:
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- Fever
- Bloody diarrhoea
- Bleeding from gums
- Bleeding into the skin
- Bleeding into the eyes
- Bloody urine
The GHS also urged the public to strictly adhere to the following basic, effective infection prevention and control measures:
- Regular Hand Hygiene: Wash hands with soap under running water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser.
- Avoid Contact with the Unwell: Do not have direct contact with persons who are unwell or show MVD symptoms.
- Avoid Contact with Sick Animals: Do not have direct contact with animals that show symptoms of bleeding.
About Marburg Virus
According to the WHO, the virus is considered zoonotic, meaning it is transmitted from animals to humans.
1. Natural Reservoir: The African fruit bat (Rousettus aegyptiacus) is considered the natural host and reservoir of the Marburg virus.
- Initial Human Infection: Humans are typically infected through prolonged exposure to mines or caves inhabited by these fruit bat colonies (e.g., through contact with bat saliva, urine, or faeces).
- Human-to-Human Spread: Once in the human population, the virus spreads through direct contact (via broken skin or mucous membranes) with blood or other bodily fluids (including vomit, urine, saliva, stool, and semen) of infected people. Contaminated objects or surfaces (like bedding, clothing, or needles).
- Direct contact with the body of the deceased during burial ceremonies.
2. Symptoms and Progression
The onset of the illness is abrupt. The incubation period is typically 2 to 21 days after infection.
Phases of MVD
Symptoms
- Initial Phase (First 5-7 days): High fever, severe headache, severe malaise, muscle aches (myalgia), chills, and a non-itchy rash often on the torso.
- Gastrointestinal Phase: Watery diarrhoea, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.
Severe Phase: Severe weight loss, delirium, liver failure, multi-organ dysfunction, shock, and haemorrhagic manifestations (bleeding) from multiple sites like gums, nose, injection sites, or blood in vomit/stool.
3. Treatment and Prevention
There are currently no approved vaccines or antiviral treatments for MVD. Treatment is purely supportive care. This includes: Early and aggressive rehydration (oral or intravenous).
Managing oxygen status and blood pressure. Treating specific symptoms and secondary infections. Early supportive care significantly improves the chances of survival.
4. Prevention Measures
- Avoid contact with fruit bats and non-human primates in endemic areas.
- Avoid visiting caves or mines where bat colonies live.
- Strictly adhere to hand hygiene and avoid contact with the bodily fluids of sick people or contaminated objects.
Written by Samuel Nii Adjetey
