The World Health Organisation (WHO), Malabo announced Thursday that the death toll from the Marburg virus epidemic in Equatorial Guinea has risen to 20.
The first recorded cases of this virus originated in the province of Kié-Ntem, where deaths were reported. Then, the virus spread to Bata and eventually reached the economic capital of the country
The WHO warns in a statement that this expansion of the virus raises concerns about a wider spread of the virus while calling for increased response efforts.
Initially, between 11 and 20 March, eight cases were confirmed, including six deaths, according to an announcement by the Equatoguinean government. On 28 February, the official death toll was 11.
The WHO has assessed 20 probable cases and 20 deaths while specifying that the new cases are reported in provinces bordering Cameroon and Gabon.