Health Alert: U.S. Embassy Malabo

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February 23, 2022

Health Alert: U.S. Embassy Malabo (February 23, 2023)

Location: Equatorial Guinea

Event: As of the afternoon of February 22, there have been no new reports of confirmed or suspected cases of Marburg virus disease (MVD) in Equatorial Guinea (EG) or the surrounding countries. The last death of an individual infected with the Marburg virus occurred on February 10.

As was mentioned in a previous alert, the virus has an incubation period of up to 21 days. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the EG Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MINSABS) will continue to monitor for potential cases in the Kie-Ntem province and surrounding areas for at least double that time period (42 days) from the last known case.

Epidemiological experts from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will arrive to EG this week to assist the WHO and MINSABS in responding to the outbreak.

The Kie-Ntem province in the mainland region of EG remains under a general quarantine, and travel out of the province is not allowed, except by medical workers.

The U.S. Embassy will continue to send out regular updates to U.S. citizens living in or traveling to EG until health officials declare an end to the crisis. These alerts will also be posted to the Embassy’s website here. More information on MVD can be found on the CDC’s website.

Actions to Take:

Immediately report to a qualified medical professional if you experience fever, muscle soreness, weakness, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or hemorrhaging.
Avoid contact with any individuals experiencing these symptoms or any people who have had contact with individuals displaying those symptoms.
Do not eat or handle bushmeat, especially monkeys and other primates. Avoid contact animal cadavers for any reason.
Avoid caves or other areas where fruit bat populations reside.
Practice good hygiene, including regular hand washing.
Avoid large gatherings and wear a mask when in enclosed spaces.
Do not attend wakes or funerals.
Do not attempt to travel to the Kie-Ntem province or surrounding areas until MINSABS and the WHO advise it is safe to do so.
If you reside in the Kie-Ntem province and/or are subject to the quarantine, alert the U.S. Embassy and follow instructions given by WHO and MINSABS officials.
Do not attempt to cross the land border between Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon.
Monitor news programs and websites to stay abreast of new health announcements from the government.
Check your email regularly for additional updates from U.S. Embassy Malabo.