Saudi Arabia Issues Travel Warning for Equatorial Guinea, Tanzania Due to Marburg Virus Outbreak

(MENAFN) Saudi Arabia's public health authority has issued a travel warning advising citizens and residents against traveling to Equatorial Guinea and Tanzania until the Marburg virus outbreak is contained. Those who are already in these countries are being advised to follow preventive measures issued by the Ministry of Health and the Public Health Authority, and to follow the instructions of the local health authorities, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The Marburg virus, which originated in fruit bats, can spread in humans through direct contact with bodily fluids of infected people and surfaces. It has a fatality rate of 88 percent and no vaccine or antiviral treatment is currently available. Symptoms include fever, fatigue, and severe headaches, before haemorrhagic symptoms appear within seven days.

Equatorial Guinea's Health Ministry recently announced that the Ebola-like disease had spread from rural areas of the country to the commercial capital Bata. So far, the country has confirmed 13 cases of the viral haemorrhagic fever. In Tanzania, eight cases have been reported, with five deaths. Dr Matshidiso Moeti, the World Health Organization regional director for Africa, said the efforts by Tanzania’s health authorities to establish the cause of the disease showed "the determination to effectively respond to the outbreak”.

“We are working with the government to rapidly scale up control measures to halt the spread of the virus and end the outbreak as soon as possible,” she added.

The Saudi Arabian government has taken a proactive approach to preventing the spread of infectious diseases in the country, including the COVID-19 pandemic. The country has implemented strict measures, including travel restrictions and mandatory quarantine for arrivals, and has been successful in containing the spread of the virus.

In light of the Marburg virus outbreak, the Saudi Arabian government has urged citizens and residents to take all necessary precautions when traveling to affected countries. The Ministry of Health and the Public Health Authority have also issued guidelines on how to prevent the spread of the virus, including washing hands regularly, avoiding close contact with people who are sick, and avoiding contact with wild animals.

As of this report, there is no indication of the virus spreading beyond Equatorial Guinea and Tanzania. However, the WHO and other health organizations continue to monitor the situation closely and provide support to affected countries to contain the outbreak.

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