Press Release
March 29, 2023
U.S. Embassy in Malabo
United States Contributions to Equatorial Guinea’s Marburg Virus Disease Response
MALABO, Equatorial Guinea – The United States has given more than $2 million (1,208,092,000 CFA), through implementing partners, to support the Government of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea-led response to the current Marburg virus disease (MVD) outbreak since February 2023. U.S. government funding advances MVD surveillance, contact tracing, case management, patient and survivor care, laboratory diagnostics, risk communications, community engagement, infection prevention and control, waste management, border health, and safe and dignified burials.
On March 10, a temporary diagnostic laboratory was established by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Ebebiyin, where Equatoguinean health officials began receiving training to carry out Marburg virus testing. The CDC is continuing to train Equatoguinean experts on all aspects of laboratory operations, and Equatoguineans carry out key elements of testing process. The U.S. government is working closely with the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF to partner with Equatoguinean officials as they work to address this rare but deadly disease.
The CDC deployed scientific and technical experts to Equatorial Guinea, including epidemiologists, laboratory scientists and experts on viral hemorrhagic fevers like Marburg. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has funded $1.6 million worth of programs since the outbreak was announced, and the CDC has deployed technical assistance teams to provide field epidemiology, mobile laboratory capability, infection prevention and control, case management, border health, and emergency management support.