Health Ministry following up on Marburg fever

AMMAN — The Health Ministry is following up on the spread of Marburg haemorrhagic fever cases in Equatorial Guinea and Tanzania, Health Ministry Secretary-General for Primary Health and Epidemics Raed Shboul said on Sunday.

In accordance with the national strategy to combat epidemics, the ministry is constantly following up on developments related to viruses and epidemics in order to best manage any cases that may arise, Shboul said in a ministry statement.

Incidences of Marburg viruses have only been observed in two countries, and according to the World Health Organisation, are among the ancient zoonotic diseases which are transmitted to humans by infected animals, such as monkeys and bats.

The virus is transmitted from human to human through direct and indirect contact with affected bodily fluids, which include blood, urine, faeces, vomiting, saliva and other liquids and respiratory secretions containing high concentrations of the virus. The virus can also be contract by physical contact with surfaces contaminated with the infected bodily fluids, Shboul added.

The secretary-general indicated that the issue will be listed on the agenda of the next meeting of the National Committee for Epidemics.