There are fears that the Marburg haemorrhagic fever diagnosed in Angola could reach South African shores.

As with most highly contagious diseases there is a danger of widespread panic as well as incorrect information being circulated.

A least 218 cases of Marburg fever have been reported in Angola. Of these 193 have died. The World Health Organisation reports that panic among Angolans has seen mobile surveillance teams withdrawn after their vehicles were attacked and damaged by local residents. Because of this staff have been unable to confirm further reported deaths or collect bodies for safe burial.

The dramatic symptoms of Marburg fever and its frequent fatality are resulting in high levels of fear, further aggravated by a lack of public understanding of the disease. Moreover, because the disease has no cure, hospitalisation if not associated with a favourable outcome, and confidence in the medical care system has been eroded in the country.

Marburg fever is a severe and highly fatal disease caused by a virus from the same family as the one that causes Ebola fever.

These viruses are among the most virulent micro-organisms (pathogens) known to infect humans. Both diseases are rare, but have a capacity to cause dramatic outbreaks with high fatality.

It begins abruptly, with severe headache and severe malaise. Many patients develop intense haemorrhagic manifestations and fatal cases usually have some form of bleeding, often from multiple sites.

The disease has no vaccine and no specific treatment.

Neighbouring countries have been placed on alert and South Africa is questioning travelers from high-risk areas. Local hospitals and doctors in all nine provinces have also been briefed.

South Africa has a good track record on controlling cholera, a less contagious disease, with more 50 000 cases treated over a six month period between 2000 and 2001 and a fatality rate of less than 1%.

It is now imperative for the Department of Health to keep the public and the media informed. At the same time it is important that the media report in a responsible manner by not fuelling any panic with sensational and incorrect reporting.

This article appeared in The Star on Tuesday, 12 April 2005

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