Welcome news with the end of the country’s first outbreak of Marburg virus disease (MVD) declared – the event resulted in a total of nine confirmed and probable cases and six deaths. The WHO advises countries in these situations to continue surveillance and other response activities for three months after the end of an outbreak. If no new MVD cases are confirmed in the Equatorial Guinea outbreak by next week, its outbreak is also likely to be finalised. Read more
Advice for travellers
Marburg virus disease (MVD) is a severe viral haemorrhagic fever, related to the Ebola virus, and there is no treatment. Found in the African fruit bat, Marburg typically appears in sporadic outbreaks and laboratory-confirmed cases have occurred in Uganda, Zimbabwe, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Angola, and South Africa. Preventive measures are not well defined, as study in how it is spread continues, but travellers should avoid contact with fruit bats and sick primates in central Africa. Read more on MVD
Before you travel, call Travelvax Australia’s telephone advisory service on 1300 360 164 (toll-free from landlines) for country-specific advice and information. You can also make an appointment at your nearest Travelvax clinic to obtain vaccinations, medication to prevent or treat illness, and accessories for your journey.