The national body responsible for disease control and prevention, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, has stated that Nigeria is at a moderate risk of importing the virus following the first-ever epidemic of Marburg Virus Disease in Equatorial Guinea.
The NCDC said that the size of the outbreak in Equatorial Guinea has not yet been determined and that there is a significant probability that it would spread to Nigeria after being imported because of the meetings and travel related to the impending national elections.
Additionally, it stated that given the direct flight between Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea as well as the latter country’s close proximity to Nigeria, importation into Nigeria is quite likely.
On February 13, 2023, Equatorial Guinea declared its first-ever Marburg virus disease epidemic. Moreover, nine people have died from the viral illness in the country.
The World Health Organization reports that early examinations performed after at least nine deaths in the western Kie Ntem Province of the nation revealed viral hemorrhagic fever.
After a warning from a district health official on February 7, Equatorial Guinean health authorities submitted samples to the Institut Pasteur reference laboratory in Senegal with assistance from WHO to identify the disease’s source.
Haemorrhagic fever is a symptom of the extremely virulent Marburg virus disease, which has a fatality rate of up to 88 percent. It belongs to the same family as the Ebola virus family of pathogens. The Marburg virus causes sudden onset of high fever, severe headache, and severe malaise.
During seven days, many individuals experience severe hemorrhagic signs. The virus is disseminated among people through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals, contaminated surfaces, and infected objects. It is transferred to humans from fruit bats.
The NCDC observed that the likelihood of spread in Nigeria following importation is high because to the meetings and travel connected with impending national elections in a press release signed by its Director-General, Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa, on Friday.
He stated that there is now neither a licensed vaccination for prophylaxis nor a viable treatment for MVD, which has a patient fatality rate that ranges from 24 to 88%.
Part of the statement read; “There are currently no cases of Marburg virus disease in Nigeria, however, the NCDC, relevant Ministries, Departments, Agencies, and partners have taken proactive measures to mitigate the risk of cross-border importation.
“The multi-sectoral National Emerging Viral Haemorrhagic Disease Technical Working Group, led by NCDC, is responsible for coordinating the national response to all VHFs across pillars including surveillance, laboratory, case management, and risk communication.
“The NEVHD TWG like it has always done in the past following news of MVD outbreaks conducted a dynamic risk assessment to inform Nigeria’s preparedness following this recent outbreak in Equatorial Guinea.
“Based on available data, the overall risk of importation of the Marburg virus and the impact on the health of Nigerians has been assessed as MODERATE.
“The risk assessment also shows that Nigeria has the capacity-technical, human (health workforce), and diagnostic – required to respond effectively in the event of an outbreak. Nigeria has also responded to viral haemorrhagic fever epidemics like the Ebola Outbreak in 2014 and built up her preparedness and response capabilities over the years.
“We have the diagnostic capacity to test for MVD presently at the National Reference Laboratory in Abuja and the University of Lagos Teaching Hospital laboratory Centre for Human and Zoonotic Virology.
“However, diagnostic capacity will be scaled up to other laboratories in cities with important points of entry and others as may be required.
“An effective response system is in place with the availability of control capacities (trained rapid response teams, and an effective infection prevention and control programme) to limit the risk of spread in the event of a single imported case.”
The NCDC also encouraged Nigerians and locals to stay away from Equatorial Guinea at this time except for necessary trips.
The Agency added; “Persons with recent travel history to or transit through Equatorial Guinea within the past 21 days who experience symptoms such as fever, muscle pain, sore throat, diarrhoea, weakness, vomiting, stomach pain, or unexplained bleeding or bruising should not go to any health facility but call 6232 or their State Ministry of Health hotline immediately for assessment and testing.”
