An outbreak of the deadly Marburg virus was confirmed by the World Health Organisation in Equatorial Guinea.
With the Ebola-like hemorrhagic fever, 11 deaths have been reported so far, with symptoms including fatigue, high fever, severe headache, Diarrhoea, and blood-stained vomit.
There is no approved vaccine or drug treatment for the disease.
Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, said: “Marburg is highly infectious. Thanks to the rapid and decisive action by the Equatorial Guinean authorities in confirming the disease.”
According to WHO, the virus is initially transmitted to people from fruit bats and spreads among humans through contact with the bodily fluids of infected people, surfaces, and materials.
The outbreak comes months after West Africa’s Ghana reported its first Marburg outbreak.
According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, “The disease is very rare in people, when it occurs, it has the potential to spread” and can be fatal.
In 2004, an outbreak in Angola killed over 90 percent of the 252 confirmed cases.
The global health body stated: “Further investigations are ongoing.”
The WHO announces urgent meetings this week over the rising cases of the disease, calling experts from across the globe.