Spanish authorities identify first case of suspected Marburg virus

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Spain has identified the first suspected case of Marburg disease, a deadly infectious disease that has led to the quarantine of more than 200 people in Equatorial Guinea, health authorities in the Spanish region of Valencia said on Saturday.

A 34-year-old man who was recently in Equatorial Guinea has been transferred from a private hospital to the isolation ward of La Fe hospital in Valencia while tests are being carried out, regional health authorities said.

According to the World Organization health care, Marburg virus can have a case fatality rate of up to 88%. There is no vaccine or antiviral drug approved to treat it.

Equatorial Guinea has reported nine deaths to date, as well as 16 suspected cases with symptoms such as fever, fatigue, blood-stained vomiting and diarrhoea.

WHO says it is stepping up epidemiological surveillance in Equatorial Guinea. Cameroon has restricted movement along the border to avoid infection.

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