DOH says global risk of Marburg virus is ‘low’

Vivienne Gulla, ABS-CBN News

Posted at Feb 15 2023 09:11 PM

The Department of Health (DOH) assured the public on Wednesday that it is monitoring developments
on emerging diseases, after the World Health Organization confirmed the first-ever outbreak of Marburg
virus disease in Equatorial Guinea.

The DOH noted that the global risk of Marburg virus disease is low.

“The public can rest assured that the DOH through the Epidemiology Bureau continues to provide
surveillance and monitoring activities of emerging diseases,” the DOH said in a statement.

“At present, there is no current risk assessment provided by WHO and the global risk of the Marburg
virus disease is low,” it added.

Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Rontgene Solante does not expect the Marburg Virus to be as
transmissible as COVID, but advises that the country to also monitor arrivals from areas where an
outbreak of the Marburg virus was reported.

Equatorial Guinea says nine dead in Marburg virus outbreak

“I am not worried about the outbreak. Primarily, because the source of this virus, which is the fruit bats,
is endemic in those regions of Africa… History tells us that since 1967, wherein the first Marburg virus us
discovered in Germany, we already have around 15 outbreaks, and majority of these outbreaks are only
confined in sub-Saharan Africa because of particular fruit bat that carries the virus, and people are
exposed to this bat,” he explained.

“I think the concern here is if there are people traveling from the particular country and goes to another
country. Remember the incubation period for this is from as short as 2 days to as long as 21 days. So
there are people that may be exposed and go back to their country, and they might manifest infection,”
Solante added.
“It is really important for us to monitor this particular outbreak because we also have OFWs in this
country. Then part of that, from the Bureau of Quarantine should look at it in terms of screening arrivals
from these countries,” he noted.

“This will not be something like COVID-19 because it’s a respiratory tract type of virus and it’s easily
transmissible. The source of infection is a type of bat endemic in a region. The only threat here is if one
person comes from that country and travels to another country then it can also cause infections. But I
don’t think it can cause a massive infection compared to COVID-19,” Solante stressed.

Marburg virus is in the same virus family that causes Ebola. Both are known to cause severe viral
hemorrhagic fever in humans. Cases of MVD are rare, but outbreaks occasionally arise in Africa, where
the viruses circulate among some populations of fruit bats, specifically Rousettus bats.

Human-to-human transmission of Marburg virus is primarily associated with direct contact with blood
and/or bodily fluids of infected persons. Burial ceremonies that involve direct contact with the body of
the deceased can also contribute in the transmission of Marburg virus.

“There is no specific treatment for Marburg virus disease. However, to reduce the risk of wildlife-to-
human transmissions of the disease, such as through contact with fruit bats, monkeys among others, the
public is advised to wear gloves and other appropriate protective clothing including masks when doing
work, research activities or tours in mines or caves inhabited by fruit bat colonies,” the DOH said.

“Everyone should continue following minimum health protocols at all times which helps prevent spread
of transmissible diseases. Communities are likewise encouraged to practice safe and dignified burial
processes to avoid potential spread of hazardous waste in addition to the proper use of appropriate
PPEs by health workers attending,” it reminded the public.