The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has warned over the risk of potential Marburg virus outbreak in the nation given the continued occurrences in Rwanda and the rise in travel between the two countries. Dr. Jide Idris, the director general of the NCDC, made this statement in Abuja, while providing an update on the continuing response to infectious disease outbreaks and other events of global and Nigerian Public Health significance. Given its high fatality rate and risk of cross-border transmission, immediate and coordinated action is necessary to stop the outbreak from becoming a regional crisis.
Depending on the outbreak and response, the Marburg virus is extremely deadly and have a case fatality rate ranging from 24% to 88%. The virus can trigger severe hemorrhagic fever, which manifests as a high fever, vomiting, excruciating headaches, and internal bleeding. Failure of many organs might result in death in a matter of days. Contact with fruit bats, particularly the Rousettus bat, which is the virus’s natural host, can spread the infection to people. Human-to-human transmission happens when an infected person’s bodily fluids, such as blood, saliva, vomit, or urine, come into direct contact with you or when you come into touch with contaminated surfaces or objects.
No particular cure or vaccination for Marburg.
Dr. Jide Idris, noted that the NCDC is closely watching the Marburg virus outbreak in Rwanda, with 62 cases and 15 deaths reported as of 17 October, 2024 (Case Fatality Rate of 24.2%). He stated that the NCDC is ready to act, despite the fact that there is no particular cure or vaccination for Marburg. He added that the agency has prompted health declaration forms for arriving travelers, especially from affected regions, and is prepared to quarantine suspected cases promptly upon detection. Also, the agency is working with partners across ministries, departments, and agencies of government.
Increased screening measures has been implemented across borders and airport security, with a special emphasis on travelers from impacted nations. Healthcare professionals are undergoing specific training on managing viral hemorrhagic fevers, and isolation units are being set up. With prior experience with pandemics like Ebola in 2014, Nigeria is increasing contact tracing capabilities and public health initiatives to inform individuals about the risks associated with Marburg. The director general of the NCDC urged all Nigerians, especially those visiting areas where the virus’ cases have been reported, to exercise caution.
Capacity of the virus to spread through human contact is a concern.
Thus far, there have not been any reported cases of the virus in Nigeria as of yet, the country’s proximity to other African countries makes it still a considerable concern. Nations in West and Central Africa, especially those with underdeveloped health systems, are especially vulnerable. Even though there haven’t been any verified Marburg outbreaks in Ghana, Cameroon, or Benin, the region’s surveillance is being stepped up. Nigeria is at high risk to experience possible spillovers due to the virus’s capacity to spread through human contact in crowded locations and the country’s residents frequent travel between neighboring countries.
Beyond Rwanda, where there is presently an outbreak, Marburg has previously been documented in Uganda, Angola, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), among other African nations. The DRC and Angola previous epidemics indicate how swiftly the virus can spread throughout communities, especially if containment measures are neglected. These past epidemics serve as an alarming indicator of the virus’s potential menace throughout Africa. Although the Marburg outbreak has remained largely concentrated within the continent, international travel and the migration of infected individuals may still provide threats to nations outside of Africa.
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Although outbreaks of the Marburg virus have happened in several African countries, it has not been as widespread as Ebola globally. The unpredictable pattern of the virus’ outbreaks makes it challenging to forecast the exact time and location of the virus’s emergence, underscoring the need for ongoing awareness and readiness throughout the African continent. To prevent a widespread outbreak, strong public health initiatives combined with continuous surveillance would be crucial. Nigeria must be well-prepared and respond quickly, with aid from the international community to protect the nation against a potential public health emergency.