Saudi ArabiaHealth

Saudi Issues Marburg Disease Travel Warning for Equatorial Guinea and Tanzania

Saudi Arabia’s public health authority has warned citizens and residents against travel to Equatorial Guinea and Tanzania until the Marburg virus outbreak is contained.

Saudis already in both countries are being advised to follow preventive measures issued by the Ministry of Health and the Public Health Authority, and to follow the instructions of the local health authorities, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Earlier this week, Equatorial Guinea’s Health Ministry announced the Ebola-like disease had spread from rural areas of the country to the commercial capital Bata. So far it has confirmed 13 cases of viral haemorrhagic fever, while in Tanzania, five people have died from a total of eight cases.

Marburg originated in fruit bats and can spread in humans through direct contact with bodily fluids of infected people and surfaces. It has a fatality rate of 88 per cent and no vaccine or antiviral treatment. Symptoms include fever, fatigue and severe headaches, before haemorrhagic symptoms begin within seven days.

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The National
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