Marburg virus in Ghana: A public health threat to Ghanaians and to Africans

Abstract

The Marburg virus disease (MVD) outbreak in Ghana and the re-emergence of other infectious diseases in Africa require a unified effort to fight these highly infectious health threats. Although no new cases have been reported after the three MVD confirmed cases, Ghana Health Service (GHS), and Health Authorities of neighbouring countries are on the alert to identify any new cases and deal with them at the earliest. Public health measures, however, inadequate, are in place in Ghana. Varied challenges remain in the fight against these outbreaks. All known public health measures must be brought to bear in the fight. African governments must resource the African Centre for Diseases Control and Prevention, in its efforts to augment the various country-level health services in the fight against the threats. African governments, citizens, development partners, and foreign governments must commit to fighting these diseases before they turn into pandemics.