Philippines currently at low risk for Marburg virus disease –DOH

The Philippines is currently at low risk for the disease caused by the Marburg virus, an infectious hemorrhagic fever virus similar to Ebola, the Department of Health (DOH) said Friday after fresh cases were detected in Africa.

“Nandyan po ‘yung posibilidad, but of course, we would like to guard again our borders and we would like to be very careful on this. Sa ngayon po, ‘yung threat sa atin, ‘yung risk, ay napakababa,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a briefing.

(The possibility is there, but of course, we would like to guard again our borders and we would like to be very careful on this. As of now the threat to us, and the risk is very low.)

Recently, Marburg virus disease cases were detected in West Africa. 

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the Marburg virus was first detected in 1967 and is “clinically similar” to the Ebola virus that is rare but has the capacity to “cause outbreaks with high fatality rates.” 

According to the WHO, human Marburg virus disease initially resulted from prolonged exposure to mines or caves inhabited by Rousettus bat colonies. The virus spreads through human-to-human transmission via direct contact with bodily fluids of infected people.

Vergeire also noted that experts said the incubation period of the Marburg virus disease is three weeks, which increases the chances of transmission.

The WHO said that while there are currently no vaccines or antiviral treatments for the Marburg virus disease, supportive care and treatment of symptoms help improve survival. —LBG, GMA News