Marburg in Ghana
As the COVID-19 situation around the world changes, CDC is monitoring COVID-19 risk in each country and making travel recommendations. If you are considering international travel, see CDC’s COVID-19 Travel Recommendations by Destination.
Key points
- On July 17, 2022, Ghana declared an outbreak of Marburg virus disease. Confirmed cases have been reported in the Ashanti region.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) is working with local health authorities to identify cases and conduct case investigations, strengthen surveillance, identify sources of transmission, and educate communities about the risks and dangers of Marburg.
- Travelers to this area should:
- Avoid contact with sick people that may have symptoms (e.g., fever, muscle pain).
- Avoid contact with blood and other body fluids.
- Avoid contact with fruit bats and the caves and mines where they live.
- Avoid sick non-human primates (e.g., chimpanzees).
- Travelers should seek medical care immediately if they develop fever, chills, muscle pain, rash, sore throat, diarrhea, weakness, vomiting, stomach pain, or unexplained bleeding or bruising during or after travel (up to 21 days). Call ahead before going to a health care facility and tell your doctor that you’ve been to an area with Marburg virus.
Traveler Information
- Health Information for Travelers to Ghana
- CDC Marburg website
- Travelers’ Health Ebola and Marburg website
- WHO Marburg Virus Disease
- Travel health and medical evacuation insurance
- Register with the US Department of State
Clinician Information
- Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers in CDC Yellow Book (Health Information for International Travel)
Marburg virus disease is a rare and deadly disease that periodically causes outbreaks in several African countries. It is spread by contact with blood or body fluids of a person infected with Marburg virus. It is also spread by contact with contaminated objects or infected animals, such as bats and sick nonhuman primates like chimpanzees.
Marburg virus disease is a viral hemorrhagic fever. Symptoms include fever, chills, headache, muscle pain, rash, sore throat, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, chest pain, and unexplained bleeding or bruising. Infection with Marburg virus is often fatal. There is no specific treatment for Marburg virus disease.