Saudi Arabia advises citizens against travelling to these two African countries

Due to health risks, two African nations have been advised against travel by Saudi Arabia’s Public Health Authority.

Due of the Marburg virus, the Weqaya administration has warned inhabitants against visiting Guinea and Tanzania.

The authorities have emphasized that people who are already in these two countries should adhere to the precautions advised by the Weqaya and Ministry of Health as well as the local health authorities’ advice.

According to a Weqaya official source, Tanzanian and Guinean health officials’ observations and research served as the basis for the travel advise.

Weqaya, however, emphasized that there are two ways of transmitting the virus, namely from human to human or from animal to human, and that the virus does not spread through the air.

ALSO CHECK: Late Kumawu MP’s brother bans DCE, NPP executives from funeral

Weqaya explained that the virus takes two to twelve days to fully develop symptoms, with the early signs showing up between one and five days after contact. These signs include lack of appetite, weakness, back and abdominal pain, rapid fever, diarrhea, and severe headaches.

The virus can also cause nausea, bleeding, skin rashes, bloody diarrhea or stools, bleeding from the mouth or nose, or anywhere else where the skin is harmed.

Describe the Marburg virus

A severe, frequently fatal sickness in humans, Marburg virus disease (MVD), formerly known as Marburg haemorrhagic fever, with an average case fatality rate of about 50%.

In previous epidemics, case fatality rates ranged from 24% to 88% depending on the virus strain and case care. According to WHO recommendations, early supportive care combined with symptomatic therapy and rehydration increases survival.

At present, there is no licensed treatment proven to neutralize the virus, but a range of blood products, immune therapies and drug therapies are currently under development.

The Marburg virus is spread from person to person through direct contact (through broken skin or mucous membranes) with the blood, secretions, organs, or other bodily fluids of the infected, as well as with surfaces and materials (such as bedding, clothing), that have been contaminated with these fluids. The Marburg virus is transmitted to humans from fruit bats.

The Marburg virus causes a sudden onset of high fever, severe headache, and severe malaise, along with frequent muscle aches and pains. On the third day, severe watery diarrhoea, cramping in the stomach, nausea, and vomiting can start. Diarrhoea can last for a week.