The Department of Disease Control hastened to monitor the situation. “Marburg virus” reiterates that it has not announced a travel ban, focusing on screening if the patient is found, send to the lab within 3 hours.
On February 20, 2023, Dr. Tares Krassanairawiwong The director-general of the Disease Control Department said Marburg virus disease is in the same family as Ebola virus. causing fever and bleeding There are fruit bats as nest animals. It was named following the city of Marburg in Germany where the first case was reported. Human infection initially results from prolonged exposure in mines or caves where fruit bats live in groups over a long period of time. when the infection has spread to people Like Ebola, a person can infect others through contact with body secretions of an infected person. Marburg virus was identified in 1967 by First outbreak in Marburg and frankfurt Germany including the city of Belgrade Serbia which at the time involved a laboratory using African green monkeys brought from Uganda. After that, there were sporadic cases of Marburg virus disease. Countries that have seen outbreaks include African countries such as Angola, Kenya, Uganda and Congo. It has seen only one death in the last 40 years, and one in the United States. After returning from cave exploration in Uganda
Dr. Tares said that according to information on February 13, 2023, the World Health Organization reported an outbreak of this disease in Equatorial Guinea. in the central region of Africa which has been declared a serious epidemic 25 suspected cases of infection were found, 9 deaths. Patients had fever, fatigue, vomiting blood and diarrhea. About 200 high-risk contacts were quarantined. In addition, 2 suspected cases were also reported. 42 cases in the community of Olamze on the border of Cameroon. Adjacent to Equatorial Guinea, one male and one female, 16 years old, with no travel history to Equatorial Guinea.
The Director-General of the Department of Disease Control further said that for Thailand, Marburg virus infection is designated as one of 13 dangerous communicable diseases according to the Communicable Diseases Act B.E. 2558 (2015). Although no cases have ever been reported in Thailand before, Marburg virus infection has an incubation period of 2-21 days following coming into contact with the secretions of an infected person or animal. Patients will have fever, headache, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, loose stools, rash but not itching. Later, there will be bleeding from the skin and organs, such as vomiting blood. black or bloody stools Bleeding from the nose, mouth, and vagina. Some people have liver or other organ failure, or shock. Many patients develop severe hemorrhage within 7 days. Patients usually die rapidly 8-9 days following the first day of onset. The mortality rate is as high as 24-90%. Currently, there is no preventive vaccine and no specific treatment. The doctor will treat the symptoms together with fluid or blood replacement.
Dr. Sophon Iamsirithaworn The Deputy Director-General of the Department of Disease Control said that Thailand has not yet announced a travel ban. But focusing on screening measures for all travelers coming from Equatorial Guinea. and Cameroon where cases have been reported. Ready to increase the level of preparation of surveillance and screening systems at all international communicable disease control checkpoints. as well as notifying public health facilities across the country If suspected patients are found, they must collect samples for laboratory confirmation and report suspected patients within 3 hours, and if the public finds suspected Marburg virus infection, inform the communicable disease control officer at the Provincial Public Health Office. or a hospital under the Ministry of Public Health Public health measures follow the same guidelines as Ebola.
“Department of Disease Control Recommend preventive methods to reduce the risk of infection as follows: 1. People who will travel to Central African countries or countries that are having an outbreak Avoid contact with diseased animals. Hands should be washed with soap following touching animals, meat or carcasses, and avoid direct contact with sick people. secretions of the patient or those suspected of being infected without wearing protective equipment. 2. Healthcare facilities should have Marburg virus surveillance in patients who have travel history from countries where outbreaks have occurred. and consider submitting for infection detection when the patient has a history of risk 3. If a traveler from an epidemic area has suspected symptoms, seek medical attention immediately, “said Dr. Sophon.
