The Diplomat
The Foreign Ministry yesterday renewed its travel recommendations to Equatorial Guinea after authorities there declared a state of health alert because of an outbreak of the Marburg virus, an Ebola-like disease with a mortality rate of close to ninety percent and for which there are no approved vaccines or antiviral treatments.
“It is recommended to travel with caution and be sufficiently informed before embarking on a trip to Equatorial Guinea,” the Ministry warned yesterday. “As of February 13, 2023, a health alert has been declared in the entire province of Kie Ntem and in the district of Mongomo (Wele Nzas province), both in mainland Equatorial Guinea, due to an outbreak of the Marburg virus, which has a high case fatality rate,” it continued.
“Among other measures, the health alert contemplates a restriction of movements to or from the affected area for 45 days, and the closure of the border crossing with Cameroon,” the Department headed by José Manuel Albares specified. “All Spaniards are advised to remain vigilant and to follow the communications on health and movements made by the Equatoguinean authorities,” it concluded.
The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of Equatorial Guinea yesterday informed the population that “in recent weeks there has been an unusual epidemiological situation in the district of Nsok Nsomo, province of Kie-Ntem, related to “nine deaths in two nearby communities, with little time apart” and with symptoms of fever, decay, vomiting blood and diarrhea.
For this reason, the Health Ministry “has proceeded to initiate the protocol established at the national level for the management of health emergencies” and the Vice President of the Republic, Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue (son of President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo), has ordered a 48-hour quarantine in the entire province of Kie-Ntem. “We remind citizens that Equatorial Guinea has previously experienced epidemiologically complex situations that have been overcome thanks to the involvement of health personnel in the country and the collaboration of citizens,” the Ministry added.
So far, nine deaths have been confirmed, 16 suspected cases -fourteen asymptomatic and two with mild symptoms-, 21 people have been isolated and monitored in their homes for having been second-degree contacts of the deceased and 4,325 people have been quarantined in their homes. The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, Matshidiso Moeti, recalled that the Marburg virus “is highly infectious”, but, “thanks to the rapid and decisive action of the Equatoguinean authorities in confirming the disease, the emergency response can reach its maximum quickly to save lives and stop the virus as soon as possible”.
