Marburg fears spread to Zimbabwe

Harare - Zimbabwe is urging public hospitals and border officials to take "appropriate measures" following the outbreak of the deadly Ebola-like Marburg virus that has claimed more than 200 lives in Angola, an official said on Friday.

"We have alerted our institutions in all the provinces that they should take appropriate measures so that we avoid having the virus in the country," health ministry spokesperson Bright Mpofu told reporters.

"We have advised officials to tighten the screening process at all entry points so that suspected cases are quarantined and we are now in the process of alerting the public through various media."

Mpofu appealed to all Zimbabweans be vigilant in the face of the threat posed by the deadly virus.

"It's not the responsibility of the government alone to protect our citizens," he said. "It is everyone's responsibility."

Zimbabwe has not recorded any case of the deadly virus.

The Marburg virus, whose exact origin is unknown and for which there is no cure, spreads through contact with bodily fluids such as blood, excrement, vomit, saliva, sweat and tears, but can be contained with relatively simple hygenic precautions, according to experts.

The oubreak in Angola has overtaken an earlier outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo as the largest ever recorded of the virus, first detected in 1967 when German laboratory workers in Marburg were infected by monkeys from Uganda. - Sapa-AFP

Published on the Web by IOL on 2005-04-16 13:02:07

Thanks for the update Ann!
I guess I should worry about this? I most likly won't, I get to caught up in the thought of the "hunt." This week I have to start my Malaria pills, can't believe it's only a few weeks away!

Thanks Ann. I am leaving for Cote' D'Ivoire on Wed., which isn't really that far from Angola. I start my Malarone tomorrow.

The sad irony is that this is my sixth trip to Africa and I havn't got to hunt yet!!

Dumb question guys, but I'm headed to Zim in September. When are you supposed to start the malaria medication before you leave? 1 month, 2 weeks, ????

quote:

Originally posted by DPhillips:
Dumb question guys, but I'm headed to Zim in September. When are you supposed to start the malaria medication before you leave? 1 month, 2 weeks, ????

D,
Malarone (Atovaquone-Proguanil combination tablet, 250mg-100mg, adult dose): One tab daily, starting 1 to 2 days before entering malaria endemic ares, continue daily during stay and for 7 days after leaving area.

Lariam (mefloquin 250 mg): One tab weekly, start one week before entering malaria endemic area, continue weekly during stay and for four weeks after leaving area.

I don't recommend Lariam unless you have had it before and know you have no worries of becoming a homicidal maniac after you take it.

Take some doxycycline along for tick fever treatment in case you suspect you get it while there.

Marburg disease: Don't consort with or eat monkeys while you are there. This will not become a pandemic like HIV/AIDS because it kills so bloody quickly and once the individual becomes infective/contagious, he is too sick to travel.

quote:

Originally posted by Perforator:
Thanks Ann. I am leaving for Cote' D'Ivoire on Wed., which isn't really that far from Angola. I start my Malarone tomorrow.

The sad irony is that this is my sixth trip to Africa and I havn't got to hunt yet!!

No offence, but Abidjan is over 2000 km from Luanda as the crow flys! And over 3000 km away overland as the crow flys (in reality over twice that again on the ground). I sure you'll be quite safe from Marburg.

I'm a bit envious, as we was right near the border and planned to drive into Ivory Coast, but had to turn around as it was just when the civil war broke out... Perhaps another time.

Have a good trip!

"Ebola" - it sounds like an African girls name.

Eric D, you are correct on the distance but it still stays in the back of your thoughts. It is a nasty virus for sure. I'll post on the security status of Abidjan next week if I can get to an internet outlet.
Good luck Widowmaker.

Thanks RIP, much appreciated.