Vietnam to monitor entrants from African regions with Marburg virus outbreaks

The request was made as the highly contagious and lethal disease killed 9 people in Equatorial Guinea and could spread further into other African regions. The ministry also requested for samples to be taken in suspected cases.

“This is a highly dangerous disease,” the ministry noted, adding that its death rate could go up to 88%.

There are no vaccines or antiviral treatments approved to treat it yet.

On Feb. 13, Equatorial Guinea quarantined more than 200 people and restricted movement on Feb. 13 in its Kie-Ntem Province, where the hemorrhagic fever was first detected, Reuters reported. The WHO said it was increasing its epidemiological surveillance in Equatorial Guinea.

The disease can be spread from animals, including bats and primates, to humans through direct contact or bodily fluids. The incubation period could go up to 21 days, with symptoms including diarrhea, stomachache, vomiting and hemorrhaging.