The Nigerian government has reacted to reports making the rounds over the outbreak of the deadly Marburg virus in West Africa, noting that the country is at low odds of the virus.
According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Director-General, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, the federal government is closely monitoring the situation.
Ihekweazu confirmed that the government is aware had set up a risk analysis team to evaluate the risk for Nigeria. He opined that the NCDC is working with the West Africa health organisation and Africa’s Centre for Disease Control to combat the deadly Marburg virus.
However, Ihekweazu advised Nigerians to embrace social distancing, wearing face masks, among other measures to mitigate the risk of spreading COVID-19.
EveryEvery.ng had reported that Guinea recorded the first case of the deadly Marburg virus. According to Health authorities, this is the first time the virus has been identified in the country and West Africa.
The Marburg virus is a highly infectious disease that causes haemorrhagic fever. The virus transmits from fruit bats to people and spreads through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people, materials and surfaces.
Illness begins with severe headache, high fever and general discomfort. Also, Infected patients develop severe haemorrhagic signs within seven days (read more here).